Dangerous roads a risk

CAN you believe it? It has been about three and half years since rehabilitation work started on the 1.9km stretch of the M1 (Higginson Highway) between the Crossmoor off-ramp and the Hans Dettman Highway turn-off. The contractor, who was assigned to upgrade this section of the M1, I presume, was a BEE company – worked in fits and starts.

He would do one bit of work and disappear for months. Then he would come back, do a little more and vanish again. Believe it or not, this ducking and diving went on for about two and half years.

The contractor didn’t even bother to erect signs warning motorists of road works ahead. Then last year, with four different types of surfaces, he decided his work was done, marked the road and left.

What was incredible, a section of the road with potholes was left untouched. Late last year another company (again, I could be wrong) came and resurfaced this section of the highway. They did a fine job.

But guess what? There are cat’s eyes here and there, but no lines. And it has been like this from the beginning of the year.

The single lane, unlit section of the M1, is dangerous at night, especially at the Hans Dettman intersection. Does anyone care? It has only black and Indian lives at risk. On lit up roads with traffic signs and road markings, there is still carnage on our roads. What will happen on a busy, single lane highway with no lines?

But thankfully motorists have learnt to drive carefully on this dangerous road. There have been no fatalities. But must someone die before the road is marked?

THYAGARAJ MARKANDAN Silverglen