The South African National Roads Agency Limited’s (SANRAL) proposal of the upgrade of the Isipingo interchange has also been met with suspicion by Toti residents.
In its background information document, SANRAL said the existing overpass (Prospecton Road/R102) bridge is susceptible to constant impact due to insuffient height and width to accomdate the future widening of the N2.
The Prospecton Road bridge over the N2, which is currently a five-lane carriageway, will be upgraded from the eastern ramp terminals to the Willcox Road/R102 intersection to accommodate an eight-lane dual carriageway with a central median island and a pedestrian walkway on each side. The proposal also seeks to increase its height and widen its offramps.
The proposal however, has been viewed by many as yet another indication that SANRAL plans to toll the N2. One resident who has objected to the proposal is chairman of the Athlone Park Civic Association, Bruce Surmon.
“SANRAL has a poor reputation among the businesses, residents and commuters of the Upper South Coast,” he said in his objection as an interested and affected party. “This arises from a history of inadequate engagement with these communities and a single-minded purpose to thrust the proposed N2 Wild Coast toll road in our midst on its own terms.
This proposed project has been resisted by these Upper South Coast communities for over a decade.
SANRAL, through its consultant team, assures our communities that the proposed Isipingo interchange upgrade has nothing to do with the tolling of the N2. At face value, this may appear to be so. On interrogating the process though, strong suspicions arise that SANRAL is adopting a divide and conquer strategy to systematically enforce its long-term plans on our communities, irrespective of whether or not this is in the best interests of the people living in the area.
Residents and businesses in Athlone Park that commute daily to and from Durban and environs will thus directly be affected by this proposed project.
The need for continuous upgrading and improvement of infrastructure is acknowledged as being vital for the functioning of the eThekwini metropolitan area and to accommodate future demands.
However, this raises another issue. Why has eThekwini Municipality not been engaged as the major role player since the outset? The improvement of major road routes and interchanges within an urban area needs to form part of a long-term spatial development framework plan, a process that needs to be driven by the municipality and not by anybody else, least of all SANRAL,” said Bruce.
However, according to city spokesman Tozi Mthethwa, the city approves. “The upgrades proposed by SANRAL have been discussed with the city and are supported as the upgrades are in line with the broader strategic plans of the municipality,” she said.
“The city does provide the strategic direction of traffic growth projections to the various entities operating in the region. Similarly, upgrades to the north of Durban take into considerations projects like the Dube Tradeport and Cornubia Housing Development, as well as Ballito project in determining bulk transport provision.”
