Mixed reaction to boulevard upgrade

Update

GEORGE NEWS - The upgrade of the Nelson Mandela Boulevard in Thembalethu has received mixed reaction on social media.

Many who expected the upgrade would include the bridge, which is the entrance and exit to Thembalethu and a big contributor to traffic congestion, expressed their disappointment.

They said upgrading the bridge is more important than the boulevard.

The R50-million upgrade which is currently under construction promises to make Thembalethu more accessible and ease traffic congestion during peak hours.

The upgrade started late in September and the anticipated completion date is 16 November 2018.

The work entails the upgrading of the existing single-lane roadway to a dual carriageway with paved walkways, cycle lanes and a paved median with improved street lighting.

On George Herald's Facebook page, André Oosthuizen commented that it would have been best if another bridge was built and more houses. "For what use is this road?

"It will still be a bottleneck after the four-ways robot to get over the bridge.

"A waste of money, and probably the only reason it is going ahead is that someone in the municipality is getting a kickback," he said.

Another Facebook user, Amanda Bonas, commented, "This municipal just does what it thinks is right. Ask any of the Thembalethu residents what they want most and I tell you, a bigger road is not on that list.

"They are wasting money, that's all. If it was another exit and entrance then I would understand."

Chantel Edwards-Klose, George Municipality spokesperson, confirmed that the current upgrade does not include the N2 Thembalethu bridge, but planning for a new bridge has started.

"This is not a provincial road and the costs (to build the bridge) need to be split between the South African National Road Agency (Sanral) and the George Municipality. Sanral has provided for partial funding and has already initiated the design of the bridge.