Durban - The new Cornubia Bridge that crosses over the N2 to uMhlanga will be open to traffic soon.
The bridge according to Tongaat Hulett Developments executive Selemo Sefehle is a key component of eThekwini’s GO!Durban IRPTN network.
The bridge will complete the primary access into Cornubia with direct access from the N2 as well as providing an additional alternative access into uMhlanga Ridge.
Sefehle said it was planned to accommodate both the C8 and C9 GO!Durban networks from the airport and Bridge City respectively, the Cornubia Bridge fulfils a number of functions, not least of which is to open up Cornubia directly from uMhlanga – boding well for investment aspirations in Cornubia Town Centre, Cornubia Business Estate and the housing projects in uMhlanga Hills.
According to Project Engineer, Brian Downie, the bridge structure is 125 metres long and 50 metres wide. It represents a significant engineering feat and comprises three individual bridges that were “stitched together” to form a single structure carrying six mixed-use traffic lanes as well as pedestrian sidewalks and two bus lanes.
Tongaat Hulett Developments executive Selemo Sefehle said that the opening of the R280 million flyover, which was a joint venture between Tongaat Hulett and the eThekwini Municipality as not so much about moving traffic as it was about facilitating the creation of inclusive, compact urban precincts, linking people to opportunities and accelerating development potential. Improved accessibility to Cornubia and uMhlanga Ridge would further enhance investment in the region.
“The bridge over the N2, with its dedicated bus lanes, has been a vital key in unlocking the development of the C9 route from KwaMashu to uMhlanga for the GO!Durban integrated public transport network,” said Thami Manyathi, Head of the eThekwini Transport Authority.
Downie said that the Cornubia flyover was a good example of proactive planning on behalf of Tongaat Hulett Developments and the eThekwini Municipality.
“Positive development thrives on good infrastructure. The current success of uMhlanga / Cornubia began with the construction of the N2 (Durban Outer Ring Road) and has continued with constant upgrades to the roads system,” Downie explained.
The Mount Edgecombe interchange – which opened earlier this year and was funded by SANRAL, eThekwini Municipality and the KZN Department of Transport – has already impacted positively on business confidence in the area.
Not only has the interchange alleviated congestion that sometimes manifested in 2-kilometre-long queues on the N2 highway, but greatly improved the prospect of further investment in the region.
Konrad Kohler, a development manager at Fortress REIT, which is partnering with M&F Giuricich Developments in the development of the R1-billion Cornubia Ridge Logistics Park that is adjacent to the N2 and closest to the Cornubia flyover, said that the close proximity to the N2 had been integral to the developers’ decision to invest in the area in the first place.
It would also be key to attracting blue-chip tenants requiring easy access to major arterial routes between Durban and the King Shaka International Airport and Dube TradePort.