Update

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

He however gave the assurance that it remains a priority to accommodate traffic and ensure continued use of the road.

In March, when concerns were first raised about the halting of construction works, Bakker had said progress was being discussed with Mamlambo Construction. 

The company had committed to providing a turnaround strategy to get the project back on track. The completion date aimed at that stage was 12 October.

Gwaiing bridge project on N2

Mamlambo Construction is also the contractor appointed by the SA National Roads Agency Ltd (Sanral) on the project to widen the Gwaiing bridge on the N2 between George and Mossel Bay.

In March, Bakker said Mamlambo had given the department the assurance that the Gwaiing bridge project would not affect the Maalgate bridge project and that all resources and equipment committed to Maalgate would remain in place.

However, in the last two weeks, regular users of the road have been complaining that there is seemingly no work or progress on the Gwaiing bridge either.

Bakker said the transport department cannot comment on these concerns as it is a project of Sanral (SA National Roads Agency Limited).

Responding to a query sent to Sanral last week, the media liaison officer promised this morning, Monday 30 May, that feedback is forthcoming.

Mamlambo Construction was appointed by Sanral in December 2021 to complete the Gwaiing bridge project after the original contractor, KPMM Roads and Earthworks, was placed in business rescue.

The Gwaiing bridge project began in January 2018 and the initial completion date of KPMM was 28 July 2020. Sanral earlier said Mamlambo's new estimated completion date is at the end of 2022 or at the latest early 2023.

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