City to appoint new contractor for Kruskal Avenue upgrades in Bellville CBD

19 April 2024

The City’s Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate would like to advise residents, businesses and users about the delay in the construction of the second phase of the Kruskal Avenue upgrade in the Bellville central business district (CBD). The City, unfortunately, needed to terminate the contract as a result of consistent poor performance.  The new contractor will start work on site at the start of June, pending bad weather. The City apologises for any inconvenience caused and thank residents and businesses for their patience while the appointment of a new contractor is being finalised. 

'We can assure the public that we will make every effort to deliver on this project as planned so that the surrounding community can benefit from the new infrastructure. We anticipate that the new contractor will be on site at the start of June to commence with the work,' said the City's Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.

The construction works are necessary to improve the infrastructure and facilities in the Bellville CBD.

Since terminating the contract the City has been closing the open areas on site, removing the rubble and levelling the site. This process commenced in March and should be complete by the end of this week.

The streets impacted are Kruskal Avenue, Blanckenberg Street (pedestrianised trader area), Cross Street, Church Street and Wilshammer Street in the Bellville CBD. The section of Kruskal Avenue that is particularly impacted stretches from Cross Street to South Street.

Pedestrians currently have limited access along these roads.

'We are currently ensuring that the area is made safe so the site can be kept in an acceptable condition until the construction resumes. The City advises that residents try to be careful around the area. We are aware of the impact of the delay on local businesses and traders. The project team is taking the necessary steps to make the site safe,' said Alderman Andrews.

Seventy percent of the project scope is outstanding including upgrades to roads; services; electrical components and landscaping. In the interim, these roads will remain unsurfaced and there will be unmarked parking bays and reduced parking.

The City has been and will continue to engage with all the affected stakeholders including the traders; landlords; tenants and surrounding businesses to provide construction updates and information about the way forward.

The Kruskal Avenue spine is situated within the Bellville CBD business hub and it provides a major pedestrian route from the Bellville Station to the wider Tygervalley Centre District.

The City believes that the upgrading of the Kruskal Avenue Spine presents the opportunity to act as a catalyst in the regeneration of the surrounding area. Below are some of the key project elements:

• The project mainly focuses on the upgrading of existing infrastructure (e.g. stormwater, lights and surfaces) and the installation of new infrastructure (e.g. trees, irrigation, benches). The project aims to enhance the pedestrian environment by creating wider sidewalks, universal accessibility and resolving traffic conflict zones for improved safety and convenience.

• The layout has been streamlined to better suit the needs of current traders in the area, while also enhancing pedestrian flow to accommodate the high volume of foot traffic. The access to the Shoprite loading area has also been rationalised.

• All intersections within the scope of works have been graded to be level with the surrounding sidewalk or pedestrian zones, promoting accessibility. Additionally, steel bollards will be installed to effectively guide vehicles within the area.

• Proposed landscaping includes varying paved finishes to the roadway and pedestrian/trader areas, trees, timber and concrete seating, bollards and kerb stops. Proposed street lighting will include the upgrade of existing street lighting and pedestrian street lighting.

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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office