Comrades route deviated for road construction
The expected date for completion of the GO! Durban project is June 2016.
GO!Durban’s project manager has expelled rumours about any drastic disruptions to the Comrades Marathon route through Old Main Road due to construction of the C3 corridor from Bridge City in KwaMashu to Pinetown.
According to Ms Mabuyi Mhlanga, programme manager of GO!Durban, construction is taking place at the same time on all roads that form part of C3, including Shepstone Road, Beviss Road and the much-talked about Comrades route, Old Main Road in Pinetown.
Despite concerns about disruptions to the upcoming Comrades Marathon on 31 May, Mhlanga said city officials met with Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) representatives before the 2014 Comrades Marathon to discuss any potential disruptions that construction would have on the Comrades route. The CMA will be amending the route accordingly and will communicate this to their stakeholders in due course.
“There will have to be a slight deviation from the usual route this year; however, the city and the Comrades Marathon Association will communicate this as soon as they have finalised their plans,” said Mhlanga.
Rowyn James, race director of the Comrades Marathon, said the construction in Pinetown does not adversely affect the route or the race, and everything is being done by the committee and the city to minimise the impact on the race.
“We understand the importance of the development of the GO!Durban integrated rapid public transport network, which we fully support, for the citizens of Durban, and will be looking at how best we can reroute the Pinetown section with minimal impact to the athletes. We will be holding further discussions with the city this week to start finalising plans, but these plans are also determined by construction progress, so we will only be able to release the final route closer to the time,” said James.
Meanwhile, the planned closure of Qashana Khuzwayo Road (Shepstone Road) for three months, commencing on Monday, 19 January, has been cancelled.
The GO! Durban project is expected to be completed by June 2016.
