THE R45-million upgrade of Medway Road, linking the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) and the eastern gate of the Port of Richards Bay to the John Ross Parkway, is due to begin.
The handover of the road to the contractors took place on Friday morning and completion is expected in 12 months.
‘Obviously we want to alert road users to the fact construction work will be starting and there might be inconvenience,’ said RBIDZ Executive Manager: Zone Development, Joe Muller.
‘The plan is to first build the new double carriageway while traffic continues to drive on the existing road.
‘Once it is completed we will divert traffic onto the new road and rehabilitate the old road.’
Muller said 40% of the labour for the project will be sourced locally.
The scope of work for the Medway Road Upgrade includes:
• John Ross/Medway Road Intersection upgrade. Two free right turn lanes into Medway from John Ross and two lanes exiting Medway onto John Ross Highway;
• Ngodweni canal bridge upgrade to four lanes;
• Medway Road upgrade to a four lane carriageway up to 150m from the eastern entrance to the Port;
• Existing Medway road layer works strengthening and resurfacing;
• New traffic circle at Medway/Phase 1A Entrance;
• Improved access to Green Africa nursery;
• New street lights along Medway Road;
• New pedestrian walkway along Medway Road up to the Port entrance;
• New bus stops along Medway at RBIDZ Phase 1A entrance.
