Roadworks in Northam come to a standstill

Thabazimbi – On Wednesday 14 June 2023 TLM started with the resealing and patching of potholes project of internal streets in Northam by attending to some streets in Northam Extension 2 and Northam CBD as well as Thabazimbi Road.

Motorists and residents of the Thabazimbi Local Municipality (TLM) are due for an improved driving experience as the Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) collaborates with municipalities to implement road infrastructure service delivery. RAL draws from its vast expertise to assist the municipality with maintenance works.

The collaboration indicated that streets such as Chroom, Onyx, Botha, Oppal, Tungsten, Platina, and Mangaan Streets within Northam Township would be upgraded to make them pleasant to drive on. Part of the scope of work on these streets included addressing road issues such as pothole deep patching, milling, and overlay in various streets that have seen considerable deterioration over the years.
But recent rumours have circulated that the project has come to a financial standstill.

Platinum Bushvelder reached out to RAL and received the following feedback on 24 July: “The project is continuing, there had been a system delay in payment which finance managed to resolve. The contractor is back on site and work should continue. The project is ongoing.” However, Northam Toyota Butch Anley reported on 26 July that the project still seems to be at a standstill on 1st Street, Botha Street, Middle Street, and Ruby Street. “The tar has been lifted and the streets are bare. With the rain and the traffic, the roads have gotten so bad that a person can’t drive there with a normal car. About two weeks ago the municipality said that the contractor would be back on site but there has been no sign of the contractor,” said Anley.

Platinum Bushvelder reached out to TLM for comment on 18 July but had not received a response at the time of going to print.

Photo: Motorists in Northam were promised to benefit from the road-patching project.