Interchange construction halted
KNS Construction will not be returning to work on the Ballito N2 interchange.
The main contractor working on the N2 Ballito Interchange will not complete the job due to ‘financial difficulties’.
It is not clear whether KNS Construction, tasked with building the loop interchange at the entrance to Ballito, has gone bust or whether they just don’t have the financial means to complete this particular project.
The company’s financial problems were first highlighted when work stopped late last year (‘Financial woes for Interchange’, Courier, December 9).
In December the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) and the consulting engineers, Vela VKE said that KNS Construction had cash flow problems that would be resolved by January.
However, SANRAL project manager Gugu Mthembu this week confirmed that KNS Construction is not going to finish the contract. The insurer for the project is currently driving the process to find a new contractor.
Mthembu said the tender invitation process ended last week and the evaluation process is now underway.
Vela VKE consulting engineer Kallie Coetzee said they hoped that an agreement was reached soon so that the project could be completed.
Mthembu confirmed that they hoped to resume work by the beginning of March.
