GEORGE NEWS - The SA National Roads Agency (Sanral) has appointed a new contractor to complete the construction of the second bridge on the N2 over the Gwaiing River.

However, before works can resume, flood damage has to be fully assessed for insurance purposes.

The R170-million project had been standing still for months after the original contractor, KPMM Roads and Earthworks, was placed in business rescue.

Sanral Western region manager Randall Cable said that the contract was reassigned from KPMM to Mamlambo Construction on 22 November through a process of ceding of rights and transfer of obligations.

"The new contractor is to complete the outstanding work within the agreed duration of 11 months. Unfortunately, an extreme weather event (the exceptionally high rainfall that had caused flooding in George) occurred on the same day, giving rise to a flood in the Gwaiing River. 

"The flood damaged the temporary work on the bridge building site, with a large portion of the scaffolding washing away. The insurance is at present assessing the damage. Depending on the extent of the damage, it may extend the agreed 11-month period to complete the outstanding work."

Cable said they are hopeful that the works will resume in the new year and that all outstanding work will be completed towards the end of 2022 or at the latest in early 2023.

"Despite all the setbacks and delays, the project is still within the allocated budget. Sanral is committed to completing this project and providing the much-needed infrastructure to the required standards and specifications."

The contract began in January 2018 and the initial completion date was set for 28 July 2020, but KPMM was placed in business rescue in May 2019. Eventually it could no longer continue with the project. Cable previously told George Herald that this process significantly impacted on the progress made.

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