Roadworks Near Completion on Allen and Kirkland Streets, With Pothole Fixes Coming Soon

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25-11-2024
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New Castillian News
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Newcastle’s roads have been a major concern for some time now, with the ongoing extensive roadworks along Allen Street and Kirkland Street impacting traffic flow and businesses alike. Additionally, multiple potholes have been causing disruptions in the CBD, Industrial Area, and residential suburbs. However, there is hope that this situation will improve in the coming weeks, as the Newcastle Municipality is working to create safer road conditions for all Newcastillians.

Regarding the construction work on Allen Street and Kirkland Street, residents will recall that the Newcastle Municipality embarked on a mission to rehabilitate these highly trafficked roads.

The project, which was launched on 7 October 2024, focused on the rehabilitation and upgrading of the aforementioned roads. Furthermore, the municipality provided the following specifics about the rehabilitation project:

• Rehabilitation of 284.66 meters of road
• Removal of the existing concrete surface
• Construction of durable base layers
• Surfacing the road with 30mm continuous graded asphalt
• Road width varying between 8.5 and 8.7 meters
• Maintenance of existing concrete curbs
• Cleaning of the stormwater system
• Application of road markings upon completion of the road

With construction teams working throughout the day and night, especially along Allen Street and at the intersection of Allen and Kirkland Streets, the project is nearing completion.

According to Newcastle Municipality’s Spokesperson, Mthandeni Myende, and Malibongwe Nsele, who heads the department responsible for this significant project, the end is now in sight.

“We are now complete with the intersection, and currently polishing up the final details. We were initially disturbed by the recent rains, but the Municipal teams have been working throughout the night to ensure that we will be able to timeously complete the work,” explained Nsele. He added that the necessary tarring would begin on Monday, 25 November 2024. The tar will then be left to settle, and the road is expected to be open for public use by Tuesday, 26 November 2024.

According to Myende, the Newcastle Municipality had originally planned to carry out the roadwork in phases to mitigate issues with traffic flow and minimise disruptions to businesses in the area. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, including the early closure of the company responsible for supplying the asphalt, the Newcastle Municipality was forced to complete the entire project in one go.

Nsele and Myende explained that the Municipality recently met with business owners in the area to apologise for the disruptions caused by the roadworks. The Municipality reassured business owners that the work would be completed within two weeks. “I am glad that we have been able to honour our words, with the work now set to be completed by Tuesday, as we want to ensure traffic flow is not hampered this coming Black Friday,” said Nsele.

Although the work on Allen and Kirkland Streets is expected to be completed by Tuesday, Myende assured that this will not mark the end of the Municipal team’s efforts.

The team will continue to work on the stormwater lines in the area, ensuring that businesses are protected from flooding, such as the recent incident at the Bismark Centre, where stormwater issues caused significant damage.

The goal of these road improvements is not only to mitigate major sewage leaks but also to enhance traffic flow as the festive season, including Black Friday, approaches. Moreover, Nsele and Myende highlighted that the Municipality had already received insurance claims from the public, who sought compensation after their vehicles were damaged due to the previous poor road conditions.

Once the work is completed, these roads will be much safer, reducing the risk of damage and inconvenience to motorists.

As the completion of the Allen and Kirkland Streets project draws near, Nsele and Myende pointed out that the work on Newcastle’s roads will continue. “We will be initiating a program in response to the potholes in town, which we will be conducting in the lead-up to the festive season. The Municipality is working on making all of Newcastle’s roads safer, and we will be receiving the necessary asphalt for the potholes along with the asphalt for Allen and Kirkland Streets,” said Nsele.

Myende also assured the public that the Municipality will focus on repairing as many potholes as possible before the festive season, both in the CBD and Newcastle’s residential areas. Additionally, stormwater drains will be cleaned and repaired to ensure no blockages occur and further infrastructure challenges arise.

As the Newcastle Municipality gears up to complete one major road project and prepare for the next, the team is committed to addressing the long-standing issue of potholes across the city.