By 2010 Writer
Phase 1 of the multimillionrand Koeberg Interchange revamp, the last of Cape Town's World Cup construction projects, has been completed just in time for kick-off later this week.
While contractors missed the April 25 deadline, they extended working hours over the past two weeks and had an intense clean-up operation at the weekend to ensure that the fly-over was ready by today.
Western Cape Transport MEC Robin Carlisle, who said he was extremely happy that the first phase was completed in time for the event, was set to officially open the new ramp this morning.
The fly-over is the first milestone of the R690 million Koeberg Interchange upgrade, a provincial government project.
The upgrade includes the construction of linking ramps to provide a free flow of traffic between the N1 and M5.
Construction work included widening the N1, realigning the Salt River canal by 15m to the west of the M5, and completing the elevated ramp over the existing Koeberg interchange.
The project, which contractors estimated would take 42 months, started in April 2008.
While the first phase is ready for motorists, the remaining construction will start immediately after the World Cup, with final completion scheduled for November next year.
The second phase includes the implementation of the N1 MyCiTi scheme, which will incorporate the disused Paarden Eiland railway line.
The Table Bay Boulevard upgrade - which included the widening of the south-bound carriageway of the N1 through the Koeberg interchange from two to three lanes - has been completed.
An extra traffic lane on the south-bound carriageway of Table Bay Boulevard, between the Koeberg interchange and the Marine Drive interchange, has also been built.
Carlisle said the projects were not just for the World Cup, but aimed at alleviating significant traffic congestion.