A near disaster involving a fully loaded fuel truck has prompted Alicedale residents to speak out about the poor condition of the MR 476 Road to the N10.
A near disaster involving a fully loaded fuel truck has prompted Alicedale residents to speak out about the poor condition of the MR 476 Road to the N10.
The incident occurred when the driver attempted to avoid a pothole situated behind a bridge abutment, and almost lost control of the vehicle.
The condition of this section of the road, which lies some 5 km from Alicedale, is particularly dangerous, resident, John Bateson, said. "Parts of the road surface show signs of deterioration and settlement, and to make matters worse there are no traffic signs warning motorists about the road hazard," he said.
In 2007 the construction of the Road began as a World Cup project to create jobs in the areas of Alicedale, Kwanonzwakazi and Transriviere, said Bateson.
The estimated R150 million project, for which only R40 million was initially budgeted, has yet to be completed. “Mismanagement, the use of unskilled labour, inadequate supervision and monitoring by officials, meant the project turned out to be a complete failure,” he said.
Seven years down the line, said Bateman, the road shows signs of deterioration and “as result, has become a public safety hazard.”
The project was headed by the Eastern Cape Provisional Roads Construction Department, “the very department who seems to be the least concerned about the matter,” he said. Past attempts by Alicadale residents to persuade the department to urgently address the issue, have failed.
“We have sent (four) e-mails, following our original warnings to the authorities (including our local Counsellor). We have (also) stressed the need for the placement of traffic warning signs, so that motorists can at least be aware of the matter when using the road,” said Bateman.
An email to Bateman from the department’s Marius Keyser, dated 13 June, 2014, stated, “We have conducted the investigation and scheduled all the defects and unfinished works. “This will now be incorporated in a contract document which should go to tender by July this year.
“I have been informed that funding is available in the current financial year to execute the works. "I trust we will eventually get this project completed to our satisfaction.”
Meanwhile, in an effort to alert motorists to the potential danger, Bateman has erected a 60km/hour sign he found discarded on the side of the road as a temporary measure.
