02 Mar 2014

A grade separated junction will be constructed at the Francistown Thapama Lodge traffic circle to reduce traffic congestion.

Addressing the recent Francistown full council meeting, Pula Consultants director, Mr Obusitswe Keitheile said the grade separated junction would replace the proposed traffic lights which were to be installed at the traffic circle during the construction of the Tonota/Francistown dual carriage way.

Mr Keitheile said the grade separated junction was the best option to control traffic in the city compared to traffic lights. Pula Consultants, he said, was ahead in terms of environmental impact assessment (EIA) on the site and they had outlined effective environmental management strategies that might be implemented during the construction.

He said since the project would affect businesses around the construction site, consultation had been done with the relevant stakeholders and another consultation would be done on March 6.

Mr Keitheile cited limited space as a challenge to the construction of the junction, saying it would be the first interchange in Botswana and they would make all efforts to ensure that it meets the city’s expectations.

Furthermore, he noted that those who resided close to the construction site would be affected by the noise and temporary closure of roads, which would also lead to traffic congestion.

For his part, councillor for Phillip Matante East, Mr Shadrack Nyeku said the council should be served with the full report of the project, adding that it showed that the construction of the dual carriage was12 per cent behind schedule.

He said there was need for a detailed explanation on the delay instead of the council being briefed on part of the project. Mr Nyeku said the volume of work still to be done indicates that the project would not be delivered on time and specified budget.

“Looking at the time frame of the project, which started in October 2012 up to today, the progression of the project, is very slow we need the answers to what is causing such a delay,” he said.

He said the council appreciates the beautiful design of the free flow traffic junction presented by the consultancy, but he expressed fear that the project might be like the Francistown stadium, which is taking forever to be completed.

“It will be a great miracle if the project will be completed by 2016 and what I can ascertain is that the project will not be done by 2015, which is the proposed date of completion,” he said.

Commenting, councillor for Itekeng ward, Mr Tabengwa Tabengwa said the project update showed that work is at 33 per cent, adding that it was time the

Ministry of Transport and Communications to scrutinise the awarding of tenders to companies that fail to deliver projects.

He cited the Shakawe Senior Secondary School, Francistown Stadium, Lobatse Stadium and Morupule B saying all the projects were not delivered on time.

In response, the Department of Roads chief roads engineer, Mr Letlhogolo Radipata said there was maximum supervision on the project and the delay was due to the unavailability of pipe lines in Africa which are still being awaited from China.

He said they were also working with service providers such as Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) and Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) as their network wires were installed underground.

Mr Radipata said some of the delays were caused by some residents who are taking long to move out and pave way for the said development. ENDS