Challenges faced by stakeholders in the road construction projects in the Gauteng province of South Africa

Abstract: This study adopted a quantitative approach as the purpose was to investigate the challenges faced by stakeholders in the road construction projects in the Gauteng province of South Africa. This study adopted quantitative research and a well-structured questionnaire was distributed to different construction companies in Gauteng Province, which were registered with various approved councils construction professionals and contractors such as civil engineers, project managers, directors, quantity surveyors, construction managers and resident engineers. The questionnaires were sent via e-mails, some were delivered to the known construction companies by the researcher and some were distributed during site clarification meetings of contractors and consultant’s bidders on Gauteng Department Roads and Transport tenders.75 Questionnaires were distributed and 50 came completed and eligible to use. Random sampling method was used to select the respondents in various organizations. Research findings revealed that Community unrest and land proclamation were the highest ranked factors that pose a major challenge in the road construction, time, financial constraints, cash flow, lack of proper panning, resources, delivery of material, plant and equipment, shortage of skilled labourers, lack of equipment, lack of materials, performance guarantees, project duration/period, cost overruns were the major challenges facing the stakeholders in roads construction projects in South Africa. In conclusion, proper planning, communication is vital to overcome the challenges and government at the other hand needs to partner with private companies in terms of transferring skills and upgrading the upcoming contractors by emerging them with sustainable, independent contractors. Therefore, any challenges found in roads construction might be eliminated in the future projects by lesson learned, by planning for the upcoming project properly and also by identifying possibility risk at the early stage of the project