Call to close high-risk N2 junction
Proposal to close R102 and N2 junction on the cards
THE high number of fatal crashes on the R102 and N2 junction near Empangeni has prompted emergency authorities to lobby for its closure.
A new proposal has been submitted to the KZN Department of Transport to effectively disallow motorists travelling on the R102 north from Empangeni to join the N2 through a dangerous right turn.
Spearheaded by EMRS Head of the Emergency Call Centre, Kevin Sukreben, the submission also suggests closing access from the N2 onto the R102 for motorists travelling from Richards Bay to Empangeni.
The idea was first proposed about eight years ago, but was put on hold to allow for the completion of the John Ross Highway.
‘Driver attitude has changed and we cannot put speed humps or traffic lights on a national route. Trucks do not slow down and motorists refuse to adhere to the speed limit, especially when approaching the intersection. We cannot continue to have loss of lives. Over the past six to seven years, the traffic volume has changed,’ said Sukreben.
Working with EMRS Zululand for the past 20 years, Sukreben said he had witnessed the carnage first-hand on the dangerous junction.
‘The R102 provincial road does not have proper road markings, is riddled with potholes and the lighting is bad. We cannot wait for another accident to happen before we do something. I am also the uMhlathuze Council representative on the Zululand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI) and have presented the proposal at this forum,’ said Sukreben.
Chairperson of the ZCCI Empangeni Division, Mike Patterson, agreed the intersection was dangerous and said the business fraternity supported the proposal.
The submission was made late last year and a response is still being awaited from the department.
Chairperson of the SA Road Federation: Zululand Region, Jogie Naidoo, said the proposal had not been tabled at their committee but would be discussed at the next meeting.
‘If the submission has merit, we would definitely welcome it from a safety point of view,’ said Naidoo.
With the John Ross Highway scheduled for completion at the end of August, a Community Policing Forum (CPF) exco member said the proposal was a safer option.
‘At the moment, there is high and low speed flow, which is hazardous. We have motorists travelling at 120km/h and others coming from a dead stop. The right turn to join the N2 is very sharp and dangerous,’ said the CPF member.
If the municipality and province actually got their act together and completed the relatively small John Ross upgrade in a year instead of something going on ten years motorists would not be frustrated and desperate. Anything goes nowadays, and cops just turn a blind eye. Overtake anywhere, stop next to no-stopping signs, exit the N2 wherever, U-turn. Wake up Mr Sukreben.
If this proposal gets approved. I hope Authorities also look at the illegal intersection on the N2 before Mtubatuba drivning North in the area of the KwaMsane Township. There are not even road markings plus there are no turning signs. Traffic stops dead in the middle of the N2 to turn off and law enforcement just drives past. Its as easy as putting up Armco Barriers?