Work on bridges halted once again

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Construction on both the Gwaiing river bridge on the N2 and Maalgate river bridge on the R102 between George and Mossel Bay has come to a halt once again.

The main contractor on the two projects, Mamlambo Construction, by deadline yesterday (Wednesday 1 June) had not responded to questions regarding rumours of its complete withdrawal from both sites.

Mamlambo was appointed for the Gwaiing project by the SA National Roads Agency Ltd (Sanral), and for the Maalgate project by the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works.

Sanral Western Region manager Randall Cable confirmed that work on the Gwaiing bridge site "all but came to a complete standstill" in the middle of May. "Sanral together with its consulting engineers (Gibb) is currently addressing the matter with Mamlambo Construction.

"If it becomes clear that Mamlambo is unable to continue with the contract then Sanral will consider its options in terms of the contract and should there be no alternative, the current contract with Mamlambo Construction may be terminated. This will mean that the remaining works will go out on tender again," said Cable.

He said since the focus has been on repairing the damage to temporary work (scaffolding holding up the concrete formwork) caused by flooding on 22 November 2021, no significant progress was made with the permanent work on the bridge. About 42% of the permanent work still remains.

Original completion date 2020

The project, whose original completion date was July 2020, has been hit by adversity from the outset. The contract was originally awarded to KPMM in 2017 that started work in early 2018. In 2019, KPMM stopped work from April to September after running into financial difficulties.

With the demise of KPMM, the contract was ceded to Mamlambo Construction in December 2021, who assumed the role of main contractor. It engaged Tzandeboo Construction to continue with the bridge construction work. Cable said since KPMM had used Mamlambo and Tzandeboo as subcontractors to undertake the road works and the bridge works respectively, the same companies were continuing with the work.

When in early 2022 the public started airing doubts that any headway was being made after Mamlambo's appointment, Sanral explained that it was due to damage caused by the floods in November 2021, which needed to be repaired first.

By March 2022, when concerns were again raised to Sanral about the apparent lack of progress, the agency gave confirmation that the estimated completion date was end 2022 or at the latest early 2023.

However, it seemed not much progress was made since March, and on Tuesday 31 May Cable said, "We are concerned and disappointed with this state of affairs given the history of this project, and our attempts to save the contract by means of a cession."

According to Cable, technical experience is not the cause of the delays. Tzandeboo Construction has bridge construction experience, and Mamlambo Construction has previously been awarded contracts for Sanral in other regions and has done major projects for the Western Cape Government.

"Collectively they have sufficient experience. Apart from the contractors' experience we have consulting engineers Gibb on site to monitor the construction work and ensure compliance to the design specification."

In response to a concerned motorist who questioned the necessity for widening the bridge, Cable said the bridge is servicing "a significant amount of light- and heavy-duty vehicle traffic". The capacity of the bridge is to be doubled.

Maalgate bridge

Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) spokesperson Jandré Bakker confirmed to George Herald that the Maalgate bridge project has been halted "while the DTPW is engaging the contractor, Mamlambo Construction", but said no more information can be provided at present.

In March, when concerns were also raised about the halting of construction works on this project, Bakker had said progress was being discussed with Mamlambo Construction. The company had committed to provide a turnaround strategy to get the project back on track. The completion date aimed for at that stage was 12 October 2022.

Subcontractors

George Herald has learned this week that a number of subcontractors working on the two bridges are anxious about payments they still have not received for work done.

Responding to this, Bakker said, "Matters

between subcontractors and main contractors are to be resolved between themselves and not through the Department of Transport and Public Works. This question should be posed to the main contractor."

A query was sent to Mamlambo Construction regarding outstanding payments and their response is being awaited.

Sanral Western Region manager Randall Cable expressed the agency's dismay at the current "state of affairs" in the Gwaiing bridge project. Photos: Alida de Beer