Another month for Block 4

KNYSNA NEWS - The fourth block of the Gray Street redevelopment project is now an estimated four weeks from completion, with only the fifth and final block to follow.

The Gray Street redevelopment has been in a constant state of construction since the R17 million project started in February 2020, with numerous delays through the course of the past year.

When the project started, the aim was to have the road completed by April this year, but due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and wet conditions, the completion is only expected in July.

The pending completion of Block 4 - where work commenced in mid-January, a month-and-a-half after the concurrent completion of Blocks 2 and 3 - brings the project's conclusion closer.

Work on the incomplete pavements along Block 3 has continued too.

Knysna municipal spokesperson Christopher Bezuidenhoudt said work on Block 4 is estimated to go on for roughly another month. "But this will be confirmed by an adjusted programme," he said. Preparations for the fifth and final block in the redevelopment is expected to start in two weeks.

While no exact date has been set for the start of work on Block 5, when it eventually takes place, it will severely restrict access to the Knysna Taxi Rank.

Once the section between the Main Road (N2) and Nelson Street (including the intersection) is closed off, the only way of accessing the taxi rank will be via the St George's Street access road off the Main Road, opposite Memorial Square.

Once the final stretch of work begins, contractors will have until 1 July to complete the project, according to Bezuidenhoudt.

Work on the incomplete pavements along Block 3 has continued too.
Photos: Blake Linder