Work halts on Tylden road project as safety concerns grow

TYLDEN – Work on the dirt road from the N6 turn-off towards Tylden has come to a sudden stop, leaving sections of the road incomplete and raising safety concerns among residents.

Residents say construction activity on the road stopped abruptly last week, with no workers currently on site and no visible progress since then.

Work stopped without clarity

According to information shared with Komani News, some workers on site allegedly indicated that work had stopped due to non-payment, although this has not been independently confirmed.

There are also uncertainties around contractors involved in the project, with residents themselves stating that they are not sure which companies were responsible for the work.

Komani News sent questions to the Eastern Cape Department of Transport for clarity on the situation, including the status of the project and reasons for the halt. No response had been received at the time of publication.

Incomplete work raises safety risks

Photos seen by Komani News show multiple sections of the road where work appears incomplete.

These include:

• Exposed culverts and large open excavations
• Loose piles of soil and rock along the roadway
• Partially installed drainage pipes
• Unfinished road surfaces

In some areas, deep excavations remain open next to or across the road, with only minimal or no clear protective barriers in place.

Residents have raised concerns that these conditions could pose a serious risk to motorists, pedestrians, livestock, and especially children, particularly if visibility is poor or during rainy conditions.

There are also concerns that heavy rains could worsen erosion, further damaging already narrow sections of the road.

Community frustration growing

The halt in construction has left parts of the route in a condition residents describe as unfinished and potentially dangerous, with no clear indication of when work will resume.

Some residents have also raised concerns about damage to property during construction, including sections where structures were removed but not restored.

Awaiting official response

At this stage, the reason for the stoppage remains unclear.

Komani News has requested official comment from the Eastern Cape Department of Transport and will update this story once a response is received.