Metro to finish some road projects

WHILE discussions are still under way about whether or not to continue rolling out the controversial bus system in Nelson Mandela Bay, the metro will finish up some of the construction projects started last year.

About R93.7-million will be spent on finishing projects in Zwide, Gelvandale, Kwazakhele and Stanford Road.

The construction projects were left unfinished when the 2014-15 budget dried up and a forensic probe into the IPTS started, inconveniencing businesses and motorists.

At a transport portfolio committee meeting on Tuesday, councillors argued over whether or not they should approve further construction related to IPTS projects when it was still unclear if the project would continue.

Infrastructure and engineering executive director Walter Shaidi said: “There are IPTS projects that have to be completed. We have unfinished business.

“Whether or not we continue with the IPTS, it would be [wrong] of the municipality to leave it there.

“Some people have been inconvenienced and cannot even enter their homes.”

The unfinished projects are:

ý Landscaping and construction of transport facilities along Koyana Street from Qeqe Street to Kani Street;

ý Upgrading of the Gail Road and Kobus Street intersection;

ý Koyana-Njoli Street upgrading; and

ý The construction of a pedestrian bridge on Stanford Road over the N2.

Other priority projects that the municipality wants to tackle as soon as possible are the Magennis Street reconstruction in Uitenhage, the old PE-Uitenhage road upgrading and the R75-Mkhwenkwe Street intersection.

DA councillor Francois Greyling said while the un- finished projects were an inconvenience, he felt uncomfortable approving money for projects that did not have prices attached to them.

“We can’t approve something without a monetary value attached,” he said.

However, ANC councillor Balu Naran said: “It’s inconveniencing people and causing a major challenge.

“It’s predominantly in the northern areas and townships . . . It’s money that needs to be spent to improve the quality of lives of our people.”

The ANC and COPE voted in favour of the completion of the projects. It still needs the full council’s approval.