Update
GEORGE NEWS - Frustration levels of some motorists who are dependent on Caledon Street in their daily travels are high. The upgrading of the road started in June and is due to be completed in November.
Caledon Street is a major feeder road. A resident wanted to know why it should take so long to upgrade a relatively short road. Bad news for this resident is that there will be an extension of time provided. Cathy Avierinos of Hilland Environmental, the environmental consultants on the project, said this is "based on the contract and the rain delays and the consequential rain delays - days where the work cannot continue due to the effect of the previous rainfall".
She said the current delays are as a result of rainfall and specifically because the layerworks in the road have to reach a certain level of moisture before they can be primed and then surfaced with a BTB (bitumen treated base) layer.
"If the layers are too wet, the moisture is sealed in and the road will fail in future. At this stage, as soon as the correct moisture levels are achieved, the contractor primes, and that is followed with the BTB layer. They will then start with the milling and layerworks in the next section of the road, followed by stabilising, priming and BTB. This will continue until the entire road is complete, the kerbs replaced and then the final asphalt layer placed over the whole road. The road markings will then be repainted."
It is impossible to say what the average time is to complete one kilometre of road in this type of upgrade, according to Avierinos.
"It is totally weather dependent. If we do not get rain at critical stages then the work is not delayed and can progress rapidly." In a statement on Monday, municipal communications chief Chantel Edwards-Klose urged road users to exercise patience. "There have been a number of issues where road users are ignoring the instructions, signage and speed restrictions and are putting lives in danger."
She said the stop and go traffic will continue until the works are complete and urged road users to adhere to the cautions required. Sections where it is necessary for residents to drive over the pavements within the municipal road reserve will eventually be rehabilitated.
Any concerns, comments and suggestions can be sent to admin@hilland.co.za or 082 305 5097.
Read previous articles:
- Big machinery for upgrade tonight
- Roadworks on Caledon to end in November
- Caledon Street closed on Monday
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