Dramatic change in new highway plan

dramatic change in new highway plan

details of a new four-lane highway between beacon bay and gonubie have emerged which mark a dramatic change from previous municipal plans.

plans for “quenera drive”, between beacon bay retail park and gonubie’s first avenue, linking to the gonubie main road, include large traffic circles, bicycle lanes and pedestrian walkways.

but buffalo city municipality (bcm) would not provide details or comment on the proposed new road. spokesperson darby gounden said the matter “has much technical implications”.

a map detailing the proposed road shows it will pass the new private life healthcare beacon bay hospital, pass the new triple point development, cross the quenera river, skirt mzamomhle and a proposed absa low-cost housing development near the coast, and flow into the gonubie main road at first avenue.

the map was prepared by bigen africa consultants, who yesterday confirmed they were instructed to provide service lanes to assist in the construction of the new road, described as “similar to the north east expressway”.

yesterday, residents of gonubie had mixed reactions to the possible construction of the road.

william venter, a property developer, said the proposed route cut through various ecosystems and he could never approve of it. he suggested gonubie main road be upgraded to four-lanes instead. he was supported by gonubie hotel owner dave krynouw and businessman wessie van der westhuizen, who both said the congestion on the gonubie main road at peak times could be relieved if it was widened.

navate property investment consultant grant wheatly said the proposed new road was “fantastic news for the city”.

he said it would be a springboard for development in the area. up to r500 million would be invested by private business in response to the plan, he said.