Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics Kedibone Diale-Tlabela officially turned the soil, marking the begin of upgrades on P122/1 (R57) Road in Irene, City of Tshwane on 25 January 2024.
The includes the upgrade of the P122 single carriageway, spanning
approximately 9.4km, from Olifantsfontein to Solomon Mahlangu Drive.
MEC Diale-Tlabela said the upgrades that the Department is undertaking will not only benefit the people of Gauteng in terms of construction.
“The project will also assists in transforming the lives of
the people who reside in Wards 47, 83, 71, 91, and 65 which are the
communities that will be affected by the rehabilitation works.”
The scope of work in this project involves the reconstruction of the
existing road, construction of paved shoulders, upgrading of intersections along the route, and widening the existing cross-section with broader traffic lanes.
MEC Diale-Tlabela further said: “To ensure fairness and inclusivity, we
will prioritise the affected municipal wards when procuring services, giving local Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s) the chance to actively
participate in this transformative initiative.”
“If capable service providers cannot be found within these communities,
SMME’s from outside the wards, but within the provincial boundary will
also be considered,” said MEC.
The project also saw three Community Liaison Officers (CLO’s) from
the affected wards being appointed to ensure that the project is be
delivered within the allocated time and that the voice of the community
is heard throughout the delivery stages of the project.
The MEC called on communities to ensure that the works continue uninterrupted and avoid any actions that may impede on the speedy delivery of the project.
“This project will undoubtedly bring about significant changes, but it is
crucial for all of us to ensure its proper care.
In case of grievances
against any party involved in the works, we must avoid halting or interrupting the project rollout programme,” said Diale-Tlabela.