Durban - Motorists can breathe a sigh of relief as the Umgeni Road Interchange – in the making since 2011 – is formally opened on Tuesday.
Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters, KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu, the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Willies Mchunu, and eThekwini mayor, James Nxumalo, were expected to launch the interchange as part of the October Transport Month campaign.
The project aims to showcase infrastructure projects with major socio-economic spin-offs in all modes of transport, including roads, aviation, maritime, rail and public transport.
“The official opening of this world-class infrastructure (was) made possible by a solid collaboration between the Department of Transport, The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) and the eThekwini Municipality,” the offices said in a joint statement on Monday.
The outstanding characteristics of the R512 million development, described earlier this year by Sanral as a “major milestone”, were the simultaneous construction of two incrementally launched bridges and the casting yard for one of the bridges elevated at a height of 20m.
In June this year, one of two lanes of Ramp A1 was opened, enabling traffic from the N2 North to branch off eastwards towards the Durban CBD.
The programme will include discussions between Peters and members of the community from the Umgeni and surrounding areas, to report on “the successes achieved and the progress made in the transport sector.
“It will also discuss the challenges encountered and other issues that might be raised by the community.”
The interchange, while sure to be welcomed by Durban’s motorists, has not been without challenges.
In April 2013, businesses operating in Springfield complained that the delays in construction – particularly defective traffic and street lights – had led to a surge in criminal activity.
The interchange was also the site of numerous accidents, involving motorists and pedestrians.
In June last year, the main contractor, Rumdel Cape/ EXR Holdings/Mazcon Joint Venture, threatened to pull out of the project because of “guerrilla-warfare” attacks on employees, allegedly by residents of two adjacent shack settlements.
In June 2013, strike action over recurring wage disputes also hampered completion of the interchange.
In May last year, similar action crippled the project.
Daily News
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