SANRAL is pleased to inform the residents of George that work will start shortly on the construction of a pedestrian bridge over the N2, east of Nelson Mandela Boulevard. The new pedestrian bridge will link the communities of Thembalethu and Ballotsview and will facilitate the safe passage of pedestrians, particularly of school children, who regularly cross the N2 at this point. The project includes the construction of approximately 2km of sidewalk to tie in with recently completed pedestrian facilities.
The bridge was specifically designed to minimise traffic disruption. However, the traffic on the N2 will be reduced to a single lane in each direction for short periods of time while construction is under way. A temporary surfaced bypass cross-over will be built in the median to divert traffic from one carriageway to the other during these periods and two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. The cross-over will be indicated with temporary signage and flagmen will be deployed to control the traffic as the need arises.
Speed restriction signs will be applicable when approaching the construction area. Road users are required to be cautious at all times and adhere to the relevant speed limits when using the temporary cross-over. Construction started at the end of March. Weather-related delays or unexpected conditions notwithstanding, the project is expected to be completed early in 2019.
Contact details for emergencies will be displayed on the signage in the construction area. SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience during construction.
Pedestrian bridge
over N2 near GeorgeR75 section 1 rehabilitation halfway done
She R75 section 1 rehabilitation and safety measurement improvements project between Port Elizabeth and Despatch has reached the halfway mark.
The R316m project is on one of Nelson Mandela Bay’s primary arterial roads. The R75 connects some of the oldest suburbs and townships along the route and is a vital link between Port Elizabeth and the industrial areas of Uitenhage and Despatch. SANRAL took ownership of the R75 after it was declared a national road in April 2012. As part of its mandate, the national roads agency is responsible for maintaining this road infrastructure.
“Route R75, one of the major National Roads within the Eastern Cape interior, is the primary arterial road for Algoa Park, Zwide, Zinyoka (Govan Mbeki), Veeplaas, Missionvale, New Brighton, KwaDwesi, KwaDwesi Extension, KwaMagxaki, Joe Slovo and Despatch, acting as the public transport link between both ends,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region Manager.
The average daily traffic on this road ranges from between approximately 6 100 and 7 100 vehicles per day in the northbound direction, and an average of between 5 500 and 5 900 vehicles per day in the southbound direction. The average
percentage of heavy vehicles to make use of the road is around 8.5%. This means that about 500 trucks use this road in each direction every day.
Current construction is focused on rehabilitating the previously poor condition of the road surface, as well as improving pedestrian safety, specifically for scholars crossing the very busy route.improvements are a major requirement of this project. In addition, this section of road has been recognised as having some of the highest pedestrian incident numbers in the Eastern Cape,” Peterson said.
Due to the poor condition of the road and its strategic position as a corridor between Uitenhage and Port Elizabeth, it was important to rehabilitate the“The poor road condition prior to the rehabilitation required constant patchwork repairs. Pedestrian facility improvements are a major requirement of this project.”
There are in excess of 4 598 (2 659 adults and 1 939 children) pedestrians making use of the road, 42% of them being school going children frequenting the Khwezi Lomso High School (Zwide), Thyilulwazi Primary School (Zwide), Gareth Primary School (Zwide), KwaMagxaki High School (KwaMagxaki), Lungisa High School (KwaDwesi) and Nelson Mandela University (Missionvale Campus) situated on either side of the road.
“The poor road condition prior to the rehabilitation required constant patchwork repairs. Pedestrian facility
road structure to last for a further 20 years. The rehabilitation works include the recycling of the existing road substructure and applying a new asphalt surfacing. The new asphalt surfacing is very durable, will improve the rideability of the road and reduce noise pollution. Drainage infrastructure along the entire route will also be improved, which includes shaping or clearing of blocked drainage systems, installation of kerbs at all intersections and along the first 5km of the road, installation of subsurface drainage in cut areas and installation of concrete side drains in cut areas.
Dangerous conditions along the R75, including uncontrolled crossing of pedestrians, animals and vehicles, have been a major cause for concern. Following this rehabilitation and road safety project, these movements will be prohibited and only allowed where it is safe.
An assessment of the road in March 2016 revealed that the existing pedestrian walkways were in a very poor condition. Additionally, at many sections along the route there were no pedestrian walkways. Therefore, new pedestrian walkways will be constructed along the length of the route. The walkways will generally be 2m wide, reduced to 1.5m where limited pedestrian traffic is expected and space is restricted.
New and re-usable guardrails will be installed adjacent to both sides of the north and southbound carriageways to prevent vehicular traffic from making illegal crossings. The implementation of road safety measures and rehabilitation of the National Route R75 section 1, constitutes 13km and will create work for a minimum of 37 local SMMEs between 1CE PE and 6 CE PE CIDB grading within the Nelson Mandela Bay.
This two-year project should be completed in May 2019.
Building South Africa through better roads