The Durnford wait is over
THE commuter nightmare is over, after the Durnford Road bridge repair was completed and the road opened to traffic on Friday.
The reopening will be loudly welcomed by residents and motorists who utilise this busy arterial road daily, who have not only had to use alternative routes but have also incurred higher fuel costs as a result of the diversion.
Added to this has been the frustration of delays as the commute took longer than normal.
Friday morning saw the contractors hard at work tarring the road, with just the final touch-ups to end the project.
According to the on-site construction manager Sandile Gambushe, the tar needed only a few hours to dry and the traffic could start flowing once again.
"We know it has been a very long and difficult period for the community and business people. The road will be dry and ready in a couple of hours and traffic can start to flow again. However, we will still await the green light from the municipality," he said, speaking to the ZO on Friday.
Consent was given when Deputy Mayor Christo Botha arrived at the site, where he said attention would also be given to the overpowering sewage odour that pervades the area.
Local motorsport enthusiast and business owner Zahid Hassim, who has played a lead role in not only agitating for the speedy repair of the road bridge but also in ensuring an alternate '4X4 route' was driveable, took his crew of racers and headed to the bridge to wave the checkered flag as the months-long delay to the bridge finally comes to an end.