CITY FACES BACKLASH OVER DELAYED ROADWORKS

Frustration over Van Riebeeck construction

- GENEVIEVE SERRA

RESIDENTS and commuters are frustrated by the prolonged delays and safety concerns surrounding the Jan van Riebeeck Road rehabilitation project. They are demanding immediate action from the City and its contractor, emphasising the impact on public safety and traffic congestion.

In their list of grievances, Imraahn Mukaddam, CEO of Inspire Network NPO, who spoke on behalf of residents, said the reconstruction of Jan van Riebeeck Road is a crucial transport corridor linking traffic from Stellenbosch and the Cape Town International Airport to Goodwood and the N1.

The City said while it acknowledged the inconvenience, it states this thorough approach is essential for a durable, 20-year solution.

In December, the Cape Argus reported that according to the most recent INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard, Cape Town is now ranked as the sixth most congested city globally. Drivers in Cape Town lose an average of 96 hours annually due to traffic gridlock.

Mukaddam said the contractor assigned by the City has taken over three months to work on less than half of a 500-metre stretch of road, which impacted traffic congestion and safety concerns.

"Disruptive work scheduling: At approximately 90% completion, all work was suspended for a four-week break over the Christmas holidays," he added. "This decision, while perhaps accommodating to the contractor, demonstrates a blatant disregard for the prolonged inconvenience caused to thousands of commuters and residents."