Allen Street Upgrades: Newcastle Municipality Defends R6.7 Million Price Tag

Tags

---

20-02-2025
Read : 65 times
New Castillian News
Source

Municipality Defends R6.7 Million Road Repairs – Officials clarified that the project was funded by an infrastructure grant, with costs driven by necessary clay removal and material sourcing challenges.

Public Scrutiny Over Road Quality Grows – Concerns escalated after a hole appeared in the newly resurfaced road, which the Municipality explained was an unfinished manhole awaiting final adjustments.

Renewed Roadwork Causes Traffic Disruptions – Additional construction began due to a collapsed sewage line, with officials assuring residents that delays caused by heavy rains were being addressed.

Long-Term Infrastructure Improvements Highlighted – The Municipality maintains that the upgrades will enhance road safety, prevent recurring sewage issues, and ensure a more durable road network.

The Newcastle Municipality placed emphasis on road infrastructure towards the end of 2024, undertaking extensive repairs on Allen Street.

As residents will remember, a large section of the road was torn up and restored, with officials highlighting the need to improve road safety and durability. However, questions have since emerged regarding the project’s staggering cost of R6.7 million, alongside concerns over the quality of the work.

Despite the repairs, residents quickly noticed a gaping hole in the newly resurfaced road. In response, the Municipality placed a road marking sign inside the hole to alert motorists, a move that only intensified scrutiny. Due to this, many residents have began to question whether the workmanship was up to standard, and public concern escalated further when the considerable cost of the project came to light.

Addressing these concerns, Mr Nsele, the Strategic Executive Director of Technical Services, explained that while the project did cost R6.7 million, the funding did not come from municipal financial resources but was instead provided through a grant dedicated to road infrastructure improvements.

He elaborated that the underlying surface of the road consisted of clay, which needed to be removed and replaced with suitable materials to prevent premature deterioration. Additionally, the closure of local asphalt plants for the festive season required the Municipality to source materials from other towns, such as Piet Retief, which further contributed to the overall expenses.

Additionally, Newcastle Municipality Spokesperson, Mthandeni Myende, sought to reassure residents, stating that the road had undergone comprehensive testing and that the workmanship was not flawed. He clarified that the visible hole was not a defect but rather a manhole that had yet to be adjusted.

Furthermore, Myende explained that due to time constraints during the initial repairs and the high volume of traffic, work on the stormwater drains could not be completed at that stage.

As a temporary measure, a roadwork sign was placed in the hole to alert motorists.

He further confirmed that the necessary adjustments were now being made, with municipal teams lifting manholes where required or installing rims as needed. With traffic levels lower this month, he noted, the work could now be carried out safely and efficiently.

Moreover, the work along the road began in October 2024, with the Municipality highlighting at the time that the purpose of the work was to enhance road safety for both motorists and pedestrians, while improving the look of the road.

However, despite assurances that the hole was merely a manhole awaiting adjustment and that there were no underlying issues with the workmanship, many residents are now questioning why the Municipality has once again begun construction on a road that has already cost over R6 million to repair.

This comes as the Municipality initiated further extensive work along Allen Street from 13 February 2025, resulting in significant traffic congestion as municipal teams resumed construction.

Mr Nsele explained that this additional work was unavoidable, revealing that an aging sewage infrastructure had led to a collapsed sewage line, which now required urgent attention. He acknowledged that the Municipality had originally aimed to complete the repairs within a week, but recent heavy rains had caused delays. Despite this, he assured the public that teams were working tirelessly to complete the project as quickly as possible.

Furthermore, Myende added that while efforts had been made to minimise disruptions to motorists and businesses, any businesses experiencing difficulties due to the construction should contact the Municipality immediately to explore possible solutions.

Although the renewed work on Allen Street has drawn criticism, both Myende and Nsele emphasised that the project would ultimately resolve multiple sewage infrastructure issues in the CBD, preventing recurring leaks and ensuring a more stable system for both residents and businesses.