Marine Drive rehab under way
Due to the narrow width of the road and road reserve, as well as buildings and structures close to the roadway, traffic cannot be accommodated in two lanes during the construction period.
With the Marine Drive (P395) rehab under way, motorists have suggested that the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) scrap toll fees during the construction period.
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality (RNM) Ward 19 DA councillor, George Henderson has confirmed that the same request was made in council.
“During a full RNM council meeting in May, the main contractor Raubex was introduced to us by the Department of Transport (DoT). Some councillors proposed that Sanral open the toll road and scrap fees during the construction period for ease of vehicle movement. DoT promised to engage Sanral to consider the proposal. We are still waiting for their response despite numerous follow-ups.”
Henderson said he has also taken the matter up with RNM’s municipal manager, Khethukuthula Zulu to follow up, however no feedback has been received.
RNM spokesperson Simon April confirmed that no response has been received from Sanral.
“A request was submitted by the municipality because most motorists will be forced to use the R61 (N2) due to construction work on Marine Drive. We are yet to receive a response from Sanral.”
According to the construction company’s Contracts Manager, Pieter Sassenberg, in a previous discussion between the DoT and the district municipality, it had been mentioned that Sanral should be approached to waive their fees for the construction period, however no feedback has been received.
A request for comment was sent to Sanral, however none was received at the time of going to press.
The long-awaited rehabilitation of Marine Drive started last Thursday, with a section under construction between Shelly Beach and Oslo Beach.
The R581 million project was handed over by the DoT’s MEC Sipho Hlomuka to Raubex in June, and is set to take 30 months to complete.
Currently, the lane to Port Shepstone is closed and traffic flow is being diverted via the lane heading south. This has caused some frustration among motorists who travel daily on the road.
Sassenberg said the rehabilitation of the P395 consists of repairing the existing roadway, replacing broken kerbing and channelling, ensuring that storm water drainage is functional, new asphalt surfacing and road marking. The road will not be widened or additional lanes added, and the existing profile will be rebuilt.
“We have commenced with the first section of the works from the ‘My Happy Place Coffee Shop’ for a 2km section towards Shelly Beach and we will commence shortly with another two sections, each 2km long from St Michaels Sands Hotel to Uvongo River Resort and from Seaslopes Avenue to the Marine Drive or R620 intersection in Margate.
“On all three of these 2km sections, traffic will be accommodated in half-width sections controlled by traffic lights. Due to the narrow width of the road and road reserve, as well as buildings and structures close to the roadway, traffic cannot be accommodated in two lanes during the construction period.” Sassenberg explained.
He said they are further restricted with regards to alternate routes which motorists can make use of, as most entrances to houses, businesses and holiday flats are directly linked to the P395.
“We are monitoring the traffic flow for improvement to minimise disruption to motorists and will endeavour to complete the works as soon as possible. We are aware that traffic will be disrupted but urge motorists to be patient during this period.
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