Whatshot
MINISTER OPENS NEW BALLITO INTERCHANGE
MINISTER OPENS NEW BALLITO INTERCHANGE
The interchange which is a boon to motorists and commuters for eliminating traffic congestion and long delays is one of several major projects of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) to enhance the national roads network in KwaZulu-Natal.
Ms Peters used the occasion to express concern about the high accident rate on South African and said the government had elevated the issue of road safety to become a national priority.
Earlier she placed wreaths at the scene of two fatal accidents. On 9 July 2015, Thulani Mashaba, Deputy Mayor of uThungulu District Municipality, died in a car crash near the Ballito turn-off. On 17 August 2015, a taxi crashed down an embankment at the Shaka's Head off-ramp and landed on railway tracks - before being hit by an oncoming passenger train. Sixteen people were killed in the accident.
The interchange attracts 20 000 vehicles from the north during weekdays and 14 000 on weekends; and 29 000 vehicles from the south during the week and 20 000 over weekends.
Studies concluded that construction of improved free flow ramps would reduce congestion and improve road safety at the interchange.
SANRAL awarded the consulting engineering services for the Ballito Interchange to SMEC South Africa in 2009. Construction commenced in March 2012 and was completed in July 2014 by Stefanutti & Stocks Civils KZN. The project has been wholly funded by SANRAL and the final budget was R123 million.
The province's landscape is being progressively reshaped with current and pipeline projects worth more than R23 billion that will redefine the safety and convenience aspects of road transport infrastructure.
There is construction work totalling R8.3 billion to take place over the next three years, including R1,4 billion to be spent widening the road from Mtunzini to Empangeni on the N2 and to build interchanges at Eteza and Kwabhoboza. R15 billion has been earmarked for the upgrading of the N3 from Durban to Cedara outside Pietermaritzburg.
Major upgrading and realignment of the N3 between Durban and Pietermaritzburg which is located within the Primary Growth Corridor identified in terms of the Provincial Spatial Economic Development Strategy, will ensure capacity meets future demands.