Frustration brews over Inanda Road closure

WATERFALL residents have raised concerns regarding road closures and the effect that the road closures will have on the already congested traffic along Inanda Road.

Over the last several months, motorists have been restricted to the left hand side of the Inanda Road, while construction workers have been busy on the right hand side.

Jason Haveman, the contracts manager of Martin and East has confirmed that the construction will be shifted to the right hand side “early next week”, once construction has been completed on the left.

Motorists will then be required to travel on the left hand side of Inanda Road. This shift will prevent residents from accessing Loop Road.

According to Eleanor Rouillon, one of the concerned residents, the closure of Loop Road will cause additional traffic issues, as many parents use Loop Road as a thoroughfare when fetching and dropping off their children at Hillcrest Christian Academy and Winston Park Primary School.

Parents will therefore be forced to travel along Inanda Road, creating additional traffic along the already heavily congested road.

Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, pointed out that the traffic at the Link Road intersection is “shocking” from 6.15am everyday.

“On average it takes 20 minutes to travel from Howick Drive through the Link Road robot in the morning.

“The stop and go signs along Inanda Road are also causing delays of up to 40 minutes. School pupils are often late and you arrive either late or very early for work or appointments,” she said.

Haveman sympathised with the residents and their frustration, but emphasised the fact that he has no control over the final design plans.

“We have been appointed as the contractors for the site, and therefore have no control or impact on the designs.

“The design plans are drawn up by an engineering consultant and the designs are approved by the department of transport. Our job is to follow the designs and we have no authority to alter or reconstruct the construction plans,” he said.

He has once again implored residents to practice patience while travelling along Inanda Road.

“We are also travelling along the road. Our truck drivers have to wait in the same traffic. We try and improve problem areas wherever we can as soon as we become aware of them,” he said.

Haveman also confirmed that once construction is complete residents will no longer be able to access to Loop Road and The Walk Road when driving from Hillcrest to Waterfall.

“A curb will be placed in the center of the road, preventing motorists from turning right into the roads,” he said.

It is estimated that the Inanda Road construction will be completed by the September next year.