HAND-OVER FOR THE UPGRADING OF QUMZA HIGHWAY PHASE 7 – PHASE 2

Date:  Tuesday 10 December 2019
Venue: Steffanutti Site Office Nu11A
Time: 09h00

UPGRADING OF QUMZA HIGHWAY PHASE 7 – PHASE 2
(Mazidlekhaya Intersection – Mdantsane Mall)

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

The entire Qumza Highway Phase 7 earmarked for upgrade is 4.21km starting at the Mdantsane NU6 Mall main entrance to the Sasol Fort Jackson Garage The current contract, Phase 7 - 2 has a total length of 2.36km from Mazidlekhaya Intersection (Nu12) to Crossroads (Nu9).

However, the section of Phase 7 - 2 being handed over is 1.74km from Mazidlekhaya Intersection (Nu12) to Crossroads (Nu9). The remainder of the road from Nu9 to NU6 Mall is scheduled to be completed in 2021.

This section of road is being upgraded to alleviate traffic congestion and improve the safety of road users. The existing road is a single carriageway that is 6.8m wide and will be upgraded to a 16m width with two traffic lanes in each direction and a barrier median.

 

The municipality is also busy lobbing for the funding for the completion of the section from NU12 to NU13 near Sasol Fort Jackson garage.

BACKGROUND:

 

The project conceptualisation process began 2008 and due to funding shortfalls had to be stopped in 2009 with the project at the detailed design stage. The work recommenced October 2015, tendered for construction October 2016 and awarded May 2017.  The first Contractor was terminated due to poor performance on the project. The project was re-tendered in February 2018 and awarded in June 2018 and construction started in September 2018. The upgrading will see the final infrastructure provided at the completion of the project addressing the concerns from road users which include:

• the lack of pedestrian facilities,
• the increased number of head-on collisions and vehicle-pedestrian conflict on this road due to its narrow width,
• lack of signage,
• poor lighting at night,
• continued flooding of cross-culverts due to heavy rains and potholes due to the failing condition of the pavement structure.
• the lack of intersection control at peak hours,
• access onto the section of road from the various residential developments along the road was causing increased congestion.

 

The project forms part of the Integrated Public Transport Network Plan funded by the Public Transport Network Grant. The Qumza Highway road forms part of the Mdantsane to East London Development Corridor that has been prioritised by the municipality as part of the then BRT System of 2010 that could not materialise due to a courts case.

 

Pa

Download Statement

Date Posted: 2019-12-09