Foreshore Freeway project

Part of the development includes finishing off incomplete highways and road infrastructure (COCT)

Cape Town’s Foreshore Freeway Project could be back on track again

Patricia de Lille has revealed that the show could be back on the road again.

Foreshore Freeway project

Part of the development includes finishing off incomplete highways and road infrastructure (COCT)

Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille says the city will not shelve its Foreshore Freeway Project, but will instead go back to the drawing board in search of ways to get the show back on the road again.

The R8bn project was scrapped following controversy and legal concerns, despite the bidding process being concluded in February this year.

This has left the future of the unfinished freeways – which have, for years, been an eyesore in the city – hanging in the balance and, according to News24, De Lille feels the incomplete construction will have to be addressed at some point.

“The need to address the future of the unfinished freeways remains. So too does the need ensure access to affordable housing in our city centre.”

De Lille also revealed that the City Manager has agreed that the Request for Proposals (RFP) will be redrafted and it will be reissued.

Why was the Foreshore Freeway Project scrapped?

The unfinished bridge has loomed over the city for over 40 years and, in 2016, the ball was set rolling again, regarding its completion, when a RPF was issued by the City of Cape Town’s City Manager.

The RFP was offered to private contractors and, in February, Mitchell du Plessis Associates (MDA) were awarded the tender for the project but, earlier this month, the company’s contract was revoked, with the City citing legal concerns.

Following the cancellation, City manager, Lungelo Mbandazayo, issued a statement on Wednesday:

“Having received legal advice‚ the City concluded that a lack of sufficient clarity in the request for proposals documentation rendered the evaluation criteria vague.”

Mbandazayo also cited the country’s economic status which has weakened significantly in the two years since the request for proposals was issued and persisting with the project would not be financially viable.

Read: 25 Pieces of land owned by government that could be great for social housing