![Corne Roux, left, SANRAL Eastern Region Project manager, and Henk Kaal, engineer from SMEC South Africa, the engineering and development consultancy that supervised construction of the N2/M41 Mt Edgecombe Interchange, wave through the first vehicles travelling from Phoenix and Mt Edgecombe to use the new ramp onto the N2 southbound towards Durban.](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/51/2018/03/Umhlanga-17-Copy.jpg)
MOTORISTS from Phoenix and Mt Edgecombe breathed a sigh of relief on Monday, 5 March as they travelled on the newly opened flyover at N2 Interchange to Durban.
The one-kilometre long bridge – one of the longest structures ever built in South Africa over one of the busiest intersections in KwaZulu-Natal – forms part of the improvements being undertaken by the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) at the N2/M41 Mt Edgecombe Interchange in the north of Durban, connecting Phoenix and uMhlanga with Durban and the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
“Only one lane of the new ramp from Phoenix and Mt Edgecombe will be open to traffic to enable the temporary ramp that had been in use to be demolished to allow for completion of the construction of a new ramp from the N2 northbound taking traffic towards the Gateway shopping complex. The second lane of the new ramp will be open in about a month’s time.
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“Motorists are urged to proceed with caution and adhere to speed limits. The patience and co-operation of motorists will be appreciated,” said Corne Roux, SANRAL Eastern Region project manager for the Mount Edgecombe Interchange.
The iconic Mt Edgecombe Interchange which is one of the largest projects presently being undertaken by SANRAL in KwaZulu-Natal is more than a masterpiece of award-winning architecture – it is a vital artery of the greater eThekwini metropolitan highway system for easing traffic, relieving congestion and is also a significant business enabler.
The new four-level interchange facility provides at least two lanes on each of the major movements. The upgrade includes the implementation of directional ramps, eliminating the need for controlled signalisation, thus ensuring free flow of traffic in all directions.