Construction of non-motorised transport (NMT) facilities under way in Grassy Park, may open doors to job opportunities for local communities.
Although works were supposed to start on Wednesday August 18, it commenced on Thursday August 19, because construction experienced a number of delays due to local labour appointments, according to councillor Patricia van der Ross.
She said Martin & East Construction and Engineering is spearheading the project, which is expected to take 15-months depending on inclement weather and unforeseen delays.
The community on the job waiting list of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) had been consulted. “However, we have had some challenges as some of the local labour are failing the medical tests. Also, there’s a delay in distributing random names for appointments. The contractor is dealing with the matter and it should be resolved shortly,” said Ms Van Der Ross.
Community leader Pastor Paul Phillips said he is happy that the City is using local labour. “However, the City should focus on specific groups such as young, unemployed people.”
Pastor Phillips said he is hoping that the City would communicate with the local community leaders to help them choose the workers. “Hopefully it will be a transparent process as we would want everyone to benefit from this.”
The objective of the project is to create a safe and convenient environment for commuters, pedestrians and cyclists while at the same time, ensuring universal access and design for pedestrians with special needs, to achieve more effective non-motorised mobility.
The works will entail construction of walking lanes, accommodation of vehicular traffic, cyclists and pedestrians, earthworks and verge levelling as well as implementation of hard and soft landscaping and improving pedestrian environment.
Second and 5th Avenues and Klip Road will be first to be rehabilitated.
There will be no complete road closures. “In some instances, the contractor will only have one lane in operation with flagmen on either side controlling traffic,” said Ms Van Der Ross.
Traffic may have to be deviated onto a half-width roadway or single lane route past or through the construction areas while work is ongoing, there is a possibility of night work and work on weekends and public holidays, appropriate signage will be in place and road users are requested to please adhere to the signage displayed over this period.
Work will take place from Monday to Friday between 7.30am and 5pm.