The City of Cape Town will appoint a new contractor for Kruskal Avenue upgrades in Bellville’s CBD after “consistent poor performance” by the previous one.
In a press release, the City’s Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate says there has been a delay in the construction of the second phase of the Kruskal Avenue upgrade in the Bellville central business district (CBD).
“The City, unfortunately, needed to terminate the contract as a result of consistent poor performance. The new contractor will start work on site at the start of June, pending bad weather,” the press release reads.
“We can assure the public that we will make every effort to deliver on this project as planned so that the surrounding community can benefit from the new infrastructure. We anticipate that the new contractor will be on site at the start of June to commence with the work,” says the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, Eddie Andrews.
The construction works are necessary to improve the infrastructure and facilities in the Bellville CBD.
Closing areas, removing rubble
Since terminating the contract the City has been closing the open areas on site, removing the rubble and levelling the site. This process commenced in March and should be complete by the end of this week.
The streets impacted are Kruskal Avenue, Blanckenberg Street (pedestrianised trader area), Cross Street, Church Street and Wilshammer Street in the Bellville CBD. The section of Kruskal Avenue that is particularly impacted stretches from Cross Street to South Street.
Pedestrians currently have limited access along these roads.
“We are currently ensuring that the area is made safe so the site can be kept in an acceptable condition until the construction resumes. The City advises that residents try to be careful around the area. We are aware of the impact of the delay on local businesses and traders. The project team is taking the necessary steps to make the site safe,” said Andrews.
70% of project needs to be done
Seventy percent of the project scope is outstanding including upgrades to roads, services, electrical components and landscaping. In the interim, these roads will remain unsurfaced and there will be unmarked parking bays and reduced parking.
The City has been and will continue to engage with all the affected stakeholders including the traders; landlords; tenants and surrounding businesses to provide construction updates and information about the way forward.
The Kruskal Avenue spine is situated within the Bellville CBD business hub and it provides a major pedestrian route from the Bellville Station to the wider Tygervalley Centre District.
The City believes that the upgrading of the Kruskal Avenue Spine presents the opportunity to act as a catalyst in the regeneration of the surrounding area.
