Tshwane Metro’s Lynnwood Road
Subcontractors down tools on Tshwane Metro’s Lynnwood Road project over unpaid invoices, bringing the multi-million rand infrastructure upgrade to a standstill as workers refuse to continue until outstanding payments are settled. This latest setback adds to a string of challenges plaguing the R124 million initiative aimed at easing traffic and extending bus rapid transit services to Mamelodi, with delays already pushing the timeline far beyond initial plans. City officials are scrambling to address the issue, while residents in Pretoria East endure ongoing disruptions from the unfinished work.
Background to the Lynnwood Road Upgrade Project in Tshwane
The Lynnwood Road widening project, launched in October 2023, forms a key part of Tshwane’s efforts to improve urban mobility and connect more communities through public transport. Spanning from January Masilela Drive to Simon Vermooten Road, the upgrade involves building two new 3.4 km by 3.5 m wide median bus rapid transit (BRT) lanes, one in each direction, to extend the A Re Yeng bus service to Mamelodi township. Additional features include new non-motorised transport paths like pedestrian sidewalks and cycle lanes, covering about 12 km in total, along with landscaping of median islands and road reserves.
Costing R124 million and expected to wrap up within 18 months, the project was hailed as a vital step to cut down traffic jams, boost road safety, and make travel easier across the city. At the sod-turning ceremony, officials noted it would help thousands of daily commuters, especially those relying on buses from eastern suburbs. However, from the start, hurdles like relocating underground services, such as water pipelines and sewers, and dealing with bad weather during rainy seasons slowed progress. By early 2024, the work was only 26% done, with key tasks like culvert building, kerb installation, asphalt laying, guardrails, signage, and electrical upgrades still pending.
Pretoria East residents have long voiced frustrations over the site’s impact, including dug-up roads at intersections like Lynnwood and Lizjohn Street, where excavation work left hazards that sparked demands for quicker clean-ups. The area, home to busy shopping spots and residential estates, sees heavy traffic, and ongoing construction has led to detours, longer travel times, and safety worries for drivers and pedestrians alike.
Details of the Subcontractors’ Protest and Payment Disputes
Subcontractors on the site have now halted all activities, citing unpaid invoices that have piled up, leaving them unable to cover wages, materials, or other costs. This downing of tools echoes broader issues in South Africa’s construction sector, where late payments often cripple small businesses and workers. The stoppage risks further delaying a project already running behind, with reports from mid-2024 showing it was 20% off schedule due to redesigns for unforeseen underground obstacles and hold-ups in approvals for wayleaves and community liaison officers.
While the exact amount owed remains unclear, similar disputes in Tshwane have seen workers protest over millions in back pay, sometimes linking to cash flow problems in municipal budgets. In this case, the subcontractors’ refusal to work until payments flow could halt critical phases like stormwater channel improvements and road broadening, which are essential for the BRT rollout. No injuries or violence have been reported during the standoff, but the idle site poses risks like exposed trenches or unsecured equipment.
The project’s main contractor has faced scrutiny before, with opposition parties like the Freedom Front Plus questioning the appointment process. Concerns arose that directors tied to the failed city hall renovation might be involved, prompting calls for a task team to probe potential irregularities in contracts. Despite assurances from city leaders that all service providers are verified and compliant, with oversight from bid committees and audit teams, doubts linger about transparency in how funds are managed and disbursed.
Official Responses and Efforts to Resolve the Crisis
Tshwane’s Roads and Transport Department has acknowledged the delays but insists the project remains on track for eventual completion, though no firm new deadline has been set. In earlier statements, officials pointed to added scopes, like building retaining walls to stop collapses and relocating water systems, as reasons for extensions. The city has an employer representative or engineering consultant on site to monitor progress and supervise, aiming to ensure quality and accountability.
Opposition voices, including from the DA, have slammed the current administration for mismanagement, warning that prolonged hold-ups could endanger lives and inconvenience road users. One spokesperson highlighted how the slow pace disrupts daily commutes and heightens accident risks on a busy artery. Residents can report issues or irregularities via the city’s anti-fraud hotline on 080 TSHWANE (080 874 9263), with oversight committees open to public scrutiny through live streams.
To get things moving, the metro is pursuing partnerships with the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development for longer-term fixes, but immediate talks with subcontractors are crucial to restart work. Past similar stoppages in Tshwane, like those over wage disputes at other sites, often resolved through mediated payments, but they underscore systemic problems in municipal procurement and cash flow.
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