Cape Town -The City has confirmed that the 40 year old Unfinished Bridge on the Foreshore has not been forgotten on their budget and future planning as they are working towards a solution.
Last year former Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula responded to parliamentary questions about the bridge and the plans. He said the predicted cost of completing the freeway would be R1.8 billion.
Mayco member for Urban Mobility Rob Quintas said a proposed budget and cost could not be predicted as yet and commented on Mbalula’s estimation and that plans were being sited.
“R1,8 billion was the cost estimate to construct and complete the Foreshore freeway system as envisaged in 2003 and in 2003 prices,” he said.
“The city is still investigating alternative transport solutions for the Foreshore precinct which will integrate urban design, land use and transport needs for this precinct.
“The city will communicate these options in due course, once these solutions are further developed and tested.”
The Foreshore Freeway bridge has received the iconic name as the “unfinished bridge,” which has become the location of many movies and advertisement scenes.
It has also become a hub for the homeless.
The design of the bridge began in the 1960s and in the 1970s the construction started but due to budget constraints it ended in 1977.
One of the city’s Engineer’s at the time, Solomon “Solly” Simon Morris, proposed that the Eastern and Western Boulevards and the highway, allow for circulation and less noise pollution and would accommodate the exit and entrance.
The incomplete section was proposed to be the Eastern Boulevard Highway in Cape Town.
According to research on the bridge, many myths circulated that there were errors with the calculation of how the two ends would meet.
Quintas added that the city was still investigating options which include the future plans for the existing bridges.
He said they were fully aware of vagrants living on the bridge and that they were not aware of any vandalism or theft to the infrastructure.
Mbalula also stated that the earliest the bridge could be completed would be in 2030 to 2031.
During 2018, the city opened a Request for Proposals (RFP) and this was later cancelled after they were advised legally. The process was cancelled because of problems with the procurement process of the RFP.
During an interview, Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the city had a vision to complete the bridge.
Jandre Bakker, the Head of Communication for the Department of Transport and Public Works said their office was not part of the planning of the bridge.
“Those are not part of the provincial road network (roads under the control of the Provincial Department of Infrastructure),” he said.
The Weekend Argus also approached the office of the newly appointed Minister of Transport, Sindisiwe Chikunga on the issue but there was no feedback.

Question 1

“The design of the bridge began in the 1960s and in the 1970s the construction started but due to budget constraints it ended in 1977”. Discuss the external and internal factors that can pose a threat to budget constraints. (16 marks)

Conduct an analysis on the unfinished Foreshore Bridge justifying to identify risk areas as well as controllable factors that one need to pay attention to and monitor throughout the project. (20 marks)

QUESTION 2 (40 Marks)
“During 2018, the city opened a Request for Proposals (RFP) and this was later cancelled after they were advised legally. The process was cancelled because of problems with the procurement process of the RFP.” Common procumbent risk include but not limited to:
Talent shortage
Disorganized vendor management Error-prone, manual internal processing Delays in procumbent
Inaccurate internal needs analysis
Non-compliance and crude contract management processes Poor vendor selection

Provide a brief description of each of the procumbent risk and demonstrate how each of the procumbent risk contribute to failure. (14 marks)

Examine the theoretical and practical implications of transformational leadership in a project environment (26 marks)

QUESTION 3 (24 Marks)

Project life cycle has FIVE (5) interdependent and interconnected stages that requires attention to details for the successful execution of a project. Ascertain project life cycle stages and justify the significance of stage. (15 marks)

Recommend a type of organisational structures, where the project manager has the final authority over the project, they are handling. The team that is working on the project reports solely to them. Thereafter, advice on the pros and cons of the recommended organisational structures.

Answers to Above Questions on Case Study

Answer 1: Both the external as well as internal factors have a direct implication on the performance of budget in case of a construction project. In the given case scenario of the unfinished Foreshore Bridge, there are many external as well as internal factors that are responsible for poor performance and ultimately the mismanagement of the budget. The external factors mainly responsible for such poor performance are economic fluctuations in the South African economy, higher inflation level, political climate etc whereas the internal factors are poor project planning, contractual issues, financial management, changes in the scope of the project etc.