Update on the N2 & N3 upgrades
The upgrades of the N2 and N3 in KwaZulu-Natal form part of the national government’s key Strategic Integrated Projects, SIP2: Durban-Free State-Gauteng Logistics and Industrial Corridor. The upgrade of the N2 will focus on a 55km length, from Lovu River, on the South Coast, to Umdloti, on the North Coast. The N3 upgrade will focus on an 80km section from Durban to Pietermaritzburg.
These upgrades will include the widening of the N2 and N3 carriageways, with four to five lanes in each direction, and the reconfiguration of most major interchanges along these route sections.
Ravi Ronny, SANRAL Eastern Region Design & Construction Manager, says due to the length and estimated cost of the entire N2 and N3 upgrades, the strategy is to split the corridor into a number of detailed design and construction packages.
Upgrading of the N2 and N3 is expected to take between five to eight years.
President Cyril Ramaphosa recently introduced the “stimulus package” as a new measure “to reignite growth, stimulate economic recovery and secure confidence in sectors affected by regulatory
uncertainty and inconsistency”. Projects earmarked for the stimulus package will be funded from the existing budget envelope with R50bn already identified by the government for infrastructure projects nationally.
SANRAL’s allocation from the total stimulus package is some R3.5bn which will be used to initiate the SIP2 projects over the next two years. Two N2 project packages and five N3 project packages, identified as critical areas, were allocated the stimulus funding accordingly. The stimulus funding for these project packages has, therefore, assisted in the fast-tracking of the commencement of these projects.
The first N2/N3 construction package is now expected to be awarded by the end of 2019.
Hammarsdale to strengthen logistics, transport corridor
Once completed, the existing simple diamond interchange at Hammarsdale will be an upgraded semi-parclo (partial clover leaf) free-flow interchange.
This upgraded interchange will accommodate the increased volume of traffic resulting from the development of the area as a distribution node for freight logistics companies, including the 152ha Keystone Park industrial precinct.
The national and provincial importance of the Hammarsdale Interchange stems from its location on the N3 between the eThekwini and Msunduzi municipalities, its proximity to the rail line linking Gauteng to the Durban harbour, and the proposed inland container terminal at Cato Ridge. To fast-track construction of the interchange, SANRAL entered into a co-funding partnership with the eThekwini Municipality to share the R276 million cost of the project.
Stefanutti Stocks (Pty) Ltd were appointed in 2016 to undertake the construction of the new interchange. The planned upgrades include the construction of six new on and
off ramps. The improved geometry of these ramps demands significant cuttings into the existing ridges, requiring the regular blasting activities which have become familiar to frequent travellers along the route.
A new five-lane lane overpass bridge with a precast beam deck and slab has been constructed to replace the existing bridge, which will be demolished once the ramps have been completed. The new bridge was erected across both carriageways of the N3 in a record four days by using a large crane to lift and place 46 beams, each weighing 37 tons, over two consecutive weekends.
Once the interchange has been completed, lighting will be installed to ensure the whole intersection is lit at night for increased safety of both pedestrians and motorists.
The project has presented the area with an excellent opportunity for local SMME development, and the creation of employment opportunities for the area's largely unemployed population. Additional
emphasis has been placed on training local labourers, ranging from generic skills training to NQF level training courses.
The upgrade of the interchange was scheduled for completion in November 2018 but has not been without complications and delays. Construction activities were interrupted for an extended period in 2018 by local business forums, extending the expected construction period to mid-August 2019.
BUILDING SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH BETTER ROADS
HELLO KWAZULU-NATAL 2019