uMhlanga traffic junction upgraded in anticipation of Cornubia property development

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21-05-2013
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Daily News
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Traffuc congestion at the N2/M41 Mount Edgecombe interchange caused by the expansion of uMhlanga and La Lucia Ridge and the anticipated development of Cornubia is behind plans for a more than R800 million upgrade to the road junction.

The South African National Road Agency (Sanral) has confirmed that work will soon begin on a four-level free-flow configuration.

Sanral spokesman Vusi Mona said traffic volumes on the N2 south of the interchange averaged 89 000 vehicles a day and about 40 000 vehicles enter or leave the N2 daily onto the M41, "resulting in the major back-up of traffic in all directions".

The upgrade would tackle this by providing at least two lanes on each of the "major movements", said Mona.

He said the upgrade would cost R816m to complete. Work was expected to begin later this month and continue over three years.

Mona warned commuters to be careful during construction and said there would be delays, but the benefits of the new interchange would outweigh them.

"Benefits during construction will be employment of local labour and small contractors. The obvious knockon effect will be the purchase of materials required for the construction, which will mostly be from local suppliers.

"Motorists will see the benefit once it is complete in terms of reduced time spent at the interchange, as well as reduced vehicle operating costs."

KwaZulu-Natal development economist Dr Jeff McCarthy agreed with Mona that the delays during construction would be short-term inconveniences only, compared to the benefits offered by the new interchange.

"Nationally, the costs of congestion and inefficient transport add up to 10 percent to consumer prices.

"In the uMhlanga area, the costs of congestion in terms of wasted staff/executive time, petrol, wear and tear on vehicles each year, are more than the once-off capital cost of this upgrade.

"While the new interchange will not completely eliminate congestion in and around uMhlanga, even if it cuts congestion by a third, the capital cost would actually be justified by enhanced private savings and business efficiencies in about one year," said McCarthy.

Andrew Layman, the chief executive officer of the Durban Chamber of Commerce, said businesses were fully behind the upgrade."If we want an interchange that works better and minimises congestion and delays, we must live with the construction process. This upgrade is essential in view of the current traffic congestion."

The construction will be undertaken by CMC di Ravenna with the monitoring of the work performed by SMEC South Africa.

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