Umgeni Road interchange opens to traffic

Durban motorists will heave a huge sigh of relief to hear the Umgeni Road interchange has finally been open.

Congestion in the area while construction was underway led to many an over-heated driver.

The first vehicles began using the newly opened southbound and northbound ramps leading onto the N2 at the interchange on Thursday, 4 June.

Ramp D1 allows for the movement of vehicles from the Springfield end of the M19 to the north along national route 2 towards Stanger. Ramp D2 allows for the movement of vehicles from the Springfield end of the M19 to the south along national route 2 towards Port Shepstone.

The bridge leading off the service road onto the N2 southbound carriageway was opened on 23 March.

“We have reached the beginning of the end. As with any other project, challenges are inevitable and it is most satisfying that these were overcome successfully,” said Logashri Sewnarain, SANRAL eastern region manager.

“This strategic interchange will allow free flow traffic in all directions except the west to south movement, which will have an on demand signal-controlled intersection.

It will substantially relieve the current delays experienced in all directions accessing the interchange.

The interchange has also been planned taking into account the future widening of the N2.”

The Umgeni Road Interchange improvement project, with an estimated cost of R512-m, is scheduled for completion in July, but will largely depend on the contractor’s progress on the site.

Motorists are advised to exercise caution as they familiarise themselves with the newly opened roads, travel within the speed limit and remain observant of the road signage at all times.