12 April, 2024

 

The Roads Directorate's Director General (DG), Mr. Teboho Mokhoane, announced on Wednesday that repairs to the temporary culvert on the Sekutu-Kutu River in Peka are expected to be completed within 14 days. The culvert was built to facilitate traffic flow on the A1 Road while the permanent bridge undergoes reconstruction.

During an interview, the Director General (DG) advised northbound motorists to utilize a temporary detour exiting the A1 at Teyateyaneng in Berea and travel through Kubetu and Mapoteng before rejoining the A1 in Maputsoe in Leribe. He added that to ensure a safe and smooth journey on the detour route, the contractor will attend to the potholes.

Mr. Mokhoane acknowledged the possibility of a project extension due to the recent damage. “The project may require an adjustment to its timeline. We haven't determined the exact number of additional days needed yet, but we'll be calculating the extension" the DG explained.  He added that unforeseen challenges, including heavy rainfall in January 2024 and difficulties securing gravel from local communities, had pushed the project behind schedule before the recent bridge damage

Reconstruction of the Sekutu-Kutu bridge, awarded to LSP Construction Pty Ltd, began in October 2024 with an initial completion date of July 2024.

The Roads Directorate regrets any inconvenience caused by this temporary disruption and appreciates the public's patience and understanding.

The A1 Road serves as a vital economic artery for Lesotho, connecting Maseru to three key northern districts.  This crucial route enables the efficient movement of goods and services, supporting numerous mines and the Polihali project.  Furthermore, the A1 Road funnels traffic to four border posts, facilitating trade with South Africa's Free State and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.

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 | About us: The Roads Directorate is a semi-autonomous government institution legally established in 2010. The Directorate is mandated with planning, development and maintenance of the road network and carrying out quality assurance of all roads.

 

 

Issued by: Nozesolo Matela                                                    
Public Relations Manager                                                                                                Corner Senate and Lepoqo Streets, Industrial Area, Maseru                                                Tel: 522229000/22229000                                                
E-mail: mpopon@rd.org.ls