GEORGE NEWS - A replacement contractor to complete the outstanding work on the widening of the Gwaiing River bridge on the N2 is being appointed by the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral).

The project has been standing still for about six months. It is the second time that work on the bridge has been stopped since the contract began on 29 January 2018. 

Both times it was due to the contractor, KPMM Construction, running into financial difficulty. The duration of the contract was 30 months and the initial completion date was set for 28 July 2020.

Sanral Western Region manager Randall Cable said appointment of a new contractor was being expected by mid-October.

"At this stage, the works are 58% complete. KPMM Construction ran into financial difficulty around November / December 2018 and declared the commencement of business rescue proceedings in May 2019. To date, KPMM Construction is still in business rescue, a process which has significantly slowed down the progress of the N2 Gwaiing River bridge construction by KPMM Roads and Earthworks, a subsidiary of KPMM Construction. 

The latter has now informed Sanral that they can no longer continue with the project."

The upgrading will double the capacity of the bridge. There will be two separate bridges, one for traffic in each direction.

'We bring you the latest George, Garden Route news'