Polokwane Municipality is embarking on a mega roads infrastructure implementation project across the municipality at a cost of approximately R200m. The implemented roads projects include upgrading of arterial roads, tarring of streets, construction of sidewalks, widening of streets and the construction of a bridge.

The Lawton Bridge construction will break barriers by connecting Westernburg, Rainbow Park and Nirvana. Previously residents from Nirvana and Rainbow Park had to drive a distance to access Westernburg whilst only being divided by a rail line. The project costing R24.2 million over two financial years will also provide easy access from the Westernburg area and Matlala road to the N1 road.

The upgrading of the 3.1km of road in connecting Nelson Mandela and the Matlala road is another key project that is being implemented at R12.3 million. This road brings relief to motorists and the community in the RDP settlements of the SDA1 to easily access public transport to the city and other connecting areas around Seshego.

Another major project at approximately R16 million is the widening and upgrading of the Nelson Mandela road in Seshego that will bring relief to the congestions experienced during peak hours for motorists driving into and from the city. The project is expected to be completed during the next financial year. In another project in Seshego, the community will be relieved from damaged roads through the rehabilitation of streets and road signs at a cost of R19.9 million. The site has already been handed over to the contractor.

The R8.4 million upgrading of the 3km arterial road for the Molepo Maja Chuene area in Paledi is almost complete. The road from Paledi will bring relief to motorists and public transport as it significantly reduces the distance travelled on gravel. Another project in the area is the R10.4 million upgrading of 3km arterial road in Mamatsha phase 3 which is in progress.

In the Mankweng Unit C R4.8 million is provided for tarring of 1.5km streets. The project is in progress and almost complete. Another project which has just commenced in the area is the rehabilitation of streets and road signs at a cost of R8.2 million. Mankweng will also benefit from the construction of sidewalks with paving through an EPWP model. The community of Makotopong will benefit from the upgrading of 3km arterial road which is currently in progress and at a cost of R9.9 million.

Projects in the city include the rehabilitation of streets in Polokwane East at R16 million, the rehabilitation of streets in Polokwane West at R13.8 million and the rehabilitation of main arterial in Polokwane and Seshego at a cost of R12.4 million.

Upgrading of a 3km arterial road in Matamanyane phase 2 is currently underway at R9.9 million. The community of Mokgokong will also benefit from the construction of sidewalks with paving through the EPWP programme.

Already, more than 93 families are benefiting from some of these projects through temporary employment and it is envisaged that the number of job opportunities will triple once all the projects are in full swing.

The Executive Mayor of Polokwane Municipality Cllr. Freddy Greaver said though it is never easy to strike a balance between maintaining existing infrastructure against expanding the service to those that do not have, Council has managed to allocate resources to ensure that the municipality responds to the needs of the community that were raised during the IDP consultation process.

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Issued by Communications and PPU
Contact: Mr. Matshidiso Mothapo
Tel: 015 290 2113
Cell: 083 667 8350