CONSTRUCTION of the R275 million beachfront promenade extension which commenced in March this year is expected to be completed in time for the 2019 festive season.
In a report posted on the eThekwini Municipality website, the city explains that the promenade extension is a catalyst to the R35-billion Pont Waterfront development which will be undertaken in three phases over the next five to ten years. The new section of the promenade will feature ablution places, club facilities, lifeguard towers and change rooms and will unlock phase one of the Point Waterfront which will include a hotel, shopping centre, offices as well as a residential component.
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Mayor Zandile Gumede described the project as the city’s “pride and joy,” adding that it was expected to lure investors.
According to Project Manager Afika Ndima, pilling works have been completed across the entire 750 metre length of the promenade footprint. He said seven of the 10 level one (floor slabs) concrete zones have been completed with levels one, two and 10 to be cast in the New Year.
“Concrete works are at 70 per cent completion. The level two slab, which is the promenade, also has seven complete zones with three still to be cast in January 2019,” said Ndima.
He said the promenade level slab topping will commence in February 2019 and will continue for five months to give the promenade visual aesthetics and finishing. Regarding the lower section, Ndima said brickworks are 50 per cent complete and will separate the different facilities and amenities. This will allow for the fixtures and fittings of the different facilities and amenities to commence in March. “The bulk services are 40 per cent complete and are expected to be finished by April 2019.
Steel balustrade works will commence in February and will be completed in July giving the first finished look of the promenade. The promenade will be complete and opened by October or November 2019 ahead of the festive season,” he concluded. The extension will follow the same pattern as the rest of the promenade that the public is familiar with. The development starts from uShaka (Moyo Pier) and is a continuous elevated structure spanning 750 metres and is 30 metres wide, reaching the Northern Breakwaters (harbour entrance channel).
