18 Feb 2016

 The contractor working on the reconstruction of the 30km Tonota/Francistown road has been awarded 134 days of extension due to inclement weather conditions which led to revising the contract completion date to February 15 this year.

Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Tshenolo Mabeo said this when answering a question in Parliament on Wednesday.  Mr Mabeo said the contractor had submitted another request for extension of time due to delays in relocation of properties.

He informed the house that all outstanding works were expected to be completed by end of March after which the road would be fully opened to traffic. Minister Mabeo said the progress of the project stood at 94.7 per cent against the programmed 97.7 per cent as at January 2016.

He said a sketch of about 28 km of asphalt overlay had been completed on the North bound lane and open to traffic, adding that another 28.9 km of asphalt on the South bound lane had been completed. Mr Mabeo said that currently outstanding works are auxiliary works which includes sign installation, road markings, walkways, kerbing and are ongoing.

On the construction of Thapama interchange at Thapama roundabout, which is part of the project though with its own timeliness, Mr Mabeo said it commenced on February 3, 2015 and is due for completion on August 2, this year.

The progress on the interchange, the minister said it stands at 21.9 per cent against the programmed 45 per cent.

“The project is currently behind schedule due to delays in relocation of services. The contractor is currently working on a catch-up programme which includes mobilisation of additional resources to ensure that the project is completed on time,” said the minister.

MP for Francistown South, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi had asked Minister Mabeo to give an update on the progress made at the new Tonota/Francistown road. Ends