After years of uncertainty and residents facing several challenges, road construction in Gugulethu is now underway. The City of Cape Town announced last week that work to repair damaged and unfinished roads in and around Gugulethu will continue, putting an end to months of suffering for households and vehicles in the region. Work on Albert Luthuli and Umthetho streets is set to begin soon.
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According to the City, all operations in Gugulethu have been paused due to community discontent. Rob Quintas, the city’s Mayco member for Transportation, stated that the construction is expected to take three months until April, barring any unexpected delays or adverse weather. Locals in the town have applauded the move, claiming that the project has been long delayed.
Planned Works on Road Construction in Gugulethu
The project will see the construction of a 1.5m wide asphalt sidewalks on both sides of the road, as well as asphalt driveway. It will also include the construction of an exposed aggregate brick-paved footway from the sidewalk to the erf limits. The two sidewalks will span a distance of 165m each along Umthetho Street. The two walkways will run about 175 meters along Albert Luthuli Street. The overall length of the sidewalks and footpaths is 680m.
Residents on Albert Luthuli Street voiced dissatisfaction with the city’s handling of the street’s construction, blaming the city for taking too long to complete the job. Some locals also raised their worries, accusing community leaders of keeping them in the dark about the project. This comes after residents have expressed several concerns and issues they experienced due to the road’s poor state. During the downpour, some people also reported that the water from the street had ruined their goods. This problem worsened during the rainy seasons, and residents expressed devastation over their goods while trying to keep the water out of their houses. Aside from addressing these issues, other citizens have emphasized the project’s importance in producing work opportunities for locals.
