The DA in Limpopo, calls on Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) to urgently prioritize the completion of the P98/2 road from Vivo to Louis Trichardt as this is fast becoming a death zone, affecting economic activity in the area and threatens the future of one of the most iconic cycle tours in Limpopo. View photos here, here, here and here .
The road remains incomplete after numerous years since the project started and work on it has seemingly paused. The poor condition of this half-built road is dangerous and has led to the damage of vehicles as well as accidents that have already claimed lives. The road is also of great economic significance to the area and failure to complete the work on this road directly impacts on economic activity such as the transport of agricultural products and other goods. The response time of emergency vehicles is also affected.
The incomplete road project also previously contributed to the postponement of the Kremetart Cycle race from September 2023 to June 2024 in part due to persistent roadworks, and the cycle tour was again cancelled in 2024. The Kremetart Cycle Tour is estimated to contribute about R 20 million to the province’s economy.
The completion of this road has been neglected for many years. The P98/2 road project remains incomplete and paused despite it already being recorded at 53% completion in the 22/23 RAL infrastructure progress report. During the Budget Vote 2023/24 speech, the previous MEC for DPWRI, Nkakareng Rakgoale, said that phase one of the maintenance of the road P98/2 is complete. The question is how long will the communities have to wait before the upgrade of the road is completed?
This road project is another example of how the ANC led Limpopo provincial government continues to fail to provide good quality infrastructure for the growth of the economy. The DA on the other hand is committed to ensuring residents get well maintained roads that bring jobs, investment and economic development to the local economy.