Safety and Liaison Mr Bheki Cele during the visit to Nkodibe Interchange
20 October 2007
It is a pleasure for me to say that in KwaZulu-Natal we now have improved
co-operation and co-operative governance involving the three spheres of
government, national, provincial and local all moving in the same direction.
Some of the results of this co-operation are seen in the wonderful work that
has gone towards the upgrading of the Nkodibe Interchange.
Engineering studies showed that this Interchange was required in 2016 if the
traffic growth rate is four percent and in 2013 if the traffic growth rate is
two percent. However, local conditions, traffic mix and accident statistics
necessitated that these theoretical projections be over-ruled. Hence, the
project is being implemented ten years earlier.
Given the increasing number of vehicles that use this access road, it became
necessary for our road safety section to play a crucial road in order to
address concerns that were raised by the South African National Road Agency
Limited (SANRAL) which conducted this extensive transportation study. It was
recommended that a grade separated interchange be constructed.
The design being a diamond interchange with a loop ramp to accommodate right
turning movements was considered to be a safer option. That is why we are here
today. The project that we are showcasing today will cost approximately R43,5
million and it is now already 98 percent complete.
The project involves the construction of the interchange on the N2 with
provincial road P235 which provides access to the towns of Mtubatuba and
Nongoma. P235 provides an important link to the interior of KwaZulu-Natal, the
town of Nongoma, rural areas and Umfolozi Game Reserve.
P235 forms part of the African Renaissance Road Upgrading Programme (ARRUP)
in which the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has invested millions of
rands to date. One of the underlying objectives behind this project is to
maximise local job opportunities and development of black enterprises. The
procurement procedure to construct this interchange was in line with both
SANRAL and KZN Department of Transport policies.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport has structured the implementation
strategy to ensure that the Vukuzakhe Emerging Contractors play a major role
throughout the construction phase and that training and mentorship are critical
features of the project.
The N2 on which this project is situated, is the main route connecting
Durban to the northern portions of KwaZulu-Natal, the port of Richards Bay
harbour as well as Gauteng. The port of Richards Bay is the leading port in
terms of volumes of cargo handled and is therefore the largest in the country
in terms of land area. It also has a reputation for being the world's
best-equipped port for handling bulk commodities such as liquids, coal,
anthracite, timber chippings and granite.
Richards Bay is the closest port to Gauteng, the industrial heartland of the
country, hence the road linkages are extremely important for promoting economic
development and the future expansion of the country's economy.
Indeed, the economic impact of this project is significant. Not only will
road users be the beneficiaries of this project, but it will provide economic
uplift for the entire community. Already, the labour that is utilised in this
project comes from the communities thus contributing to the development of
skills. The 2010 Soccer World Cup is upon us, therefore, projects like
Interchange, including Sani Pass which links South Africa and Lesotho and other
projects in the province are indeed an indication of our readiness to
accommodate and transport our visitors for this prestigious event with much
efficiency.
We ought to be able to overcome the challenges before we can be complacent
that we will manage the more than 350 000 spectators that will participate and
watch the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
Our readiness for 2010 has also been shown through the construction of the
new Moses Mabhida stadium which will be finished in good time for the world
soccer matches. More than R2,2 billion is being spent on the project. More than
R4 billion will be spent on the construction of the new King Shaka
international airport and the Dube TradePort at La Mercy. All in all we have
projects in the region of close to R20 billion underway in the province. On
completion, the Dube TradePort alone will contribute R12,4 billion to the
economy and will create thousands of new jobs.
In the final analysis, our objective is that all over our country where we
have large numbers of people living together and having to travel everyday to
and from work or to participate in other economic activities, we will have a
national transport infrastructure with appropriate facilities that will provide
easy access and meet the people's and the country's needs.
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison,
KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government
20 October 2007
