Cable highlighted two recently completed projects as well as projects in the Design Phase due to begin work in 2017 in the region:
The purpose-built walkways, which stretch over a distance of about 8 km along the N2 between the York Street Interchange and the Garden Route Mall, is designed to provide safe access for residents of the nearby residential areas of Thembalethu, Pacaltsdorp, Lawaaikamp and Ballotsview along the N2 corridor. The project also included the installation of lighting and CCTV cameras which are intended for safe movement of pedestrians during the day and evening.
To ensure that pedestrians do not cross the highway at will, a two metre high welded mesh fence was also erected along the N2 separating the pathways from the freeway.
Project highlights:
• Contract Value: R73 mil
• Labour Spend: R13,9 mil
• SMME Spend: R27,3 mil
• 170 permanent job opportunities were created during the duration of the contract.
The Pacaltsdorp Interchange bridge and approach roads were widened to create additional turning lanes, sidewalks, and a traffic median island. The project also included the rehabilitation of existing asphalt surfacing, the relocation of traffic signals, the provision of street lighting and the replacement of road markings and road signs. A new pedestrian bridge that provides a safe point for pedestrians to cross the N2 freeway was also constructed.
Project highlights:
• Contract Value: R82,5 mil (Sanral 50%; Western Cape Government 40%; George Municipality 10%)
• Labour Spend: R8,1 mil
• SMME Spend: R12,3 mil
• 106 permanent job opportunities were created during the duration of the contract.
SANRAL is currently busy with the design of the improvement of the N2 freeway between Caledon and Riversdale. This 185km stretch of the N2 will have a widened cross-sector with significantly increased safe overtaking opportunities for increasing traffic volumes. This improvement is envisioned to improve traffic flow and safety.
Cable added that road safety is one of SANRAL’s key pillars as it is a well-known fact that South Africa has one of the highest road crash fatality rates in the world. For example, approximately 23.5 people per 100,000 lost their lives on the country’s roads in 2014. In comparison, the 2015 World Health Organisation’s Global Status Report on road safety affirms the global average of road fatalities at 17.4 per 100,000 and the average for middle-income countries at 18.42 fatalities per 100,000 population.
