A contractor has been appointed to fill at least 2 000 potholes on the R26 between Wepener and Zastron, a Free State official said on Monday.
“The contractor, Pro-Phalt, has been on site since 18 June 2012 and is expected to repair 1000 potholes per month over two months at a cost of R1 276 800,” said roads and transport spokesman Zolile Walaza.
The company was using a machine which heated up the road surface with infrared beams, making the road surface workable to such an extent that workers could add hot, mixed asphalt to the existing surface to backfill it to its original level.
He said that although work on the road was progressing well, with 1 500 potholes repaired since last month, rain and cold weather were delaying the process.
It was hoped that all potholes on the 70km stretch of road would be repaired by August 18. – Sapa