Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayo, Councillor Athol Trollip officially opened a revamped Magennis Street in Uitenhage, a street that is a major link between KwaNobuhle and Uitenhage CBD.
The revamp is part of the City plans to improve road and infrastructure in the Uitenhage area. This work is part of the City’s plans to attract economic development in the Uitenhage and Despatch areas.
Part of the revamp included a complete resurfacing, constructions of kerbs, construct and formalize parking and pedestrian crossing as well as prohibiting vehicles from performing dangerous manoeuvres opposite Innes Primary School that is situated in the same street.
The project includes two single lane carriageways with a total cross sectional width of 7.4m and the total length of the road is approximately 1 100m long. The road is now wide enough to accommodate two 3.7m lanes and 2.5m wide parking bays on both sides. The road also includes four bus bays, barrier kerbing, channelling and storm water catch pits.
This project had a total value of R20 979 901.61. As part of the City’s commitment to the development of emerging contractors, nine emerging contractors were part of the project.
“The importance of the road is that it links Kwanobuhle and Uitenhage CBD and secondly it will provide the community of Uitenhage and surrounding areas with easy access to public transportation most especially that the IPTS bus system will be launched very soon,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Roads and Transport, Councillor Rayno Kayser.
At the same event, the Executive Mayor also unveiled R2.5 million five 4 ton trucks that are equipped with the crew cab. The trucks will be used by storm water drainage officials.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Mayor said: “This road opening is a start of a lot of work that we will be doing in Uitenhage and Despatch to improve roads and infrastructure. These two towns will be a focus area for this administration as they have been ignored for a long time. If we are serious about improving our economy and creating jobs, infrastructure improvement is a major catalyst”.
Last week the Executive Mayor opened two roads in Missionvale and Chatty Township which will be a major improvement to the lives of the communities of the areas. The construction of the two roads will now make it easier for emergency vehicles like ambulance, fire, police to access the areas quickly, a situation that was tricky during rainy conditions.