This section is illustrated in Figure The length of this section is approximately 24.5 km.

Transcription

1 4.2.5 Section 5: Ntafufu River to Lusikisiki (Magwa Intersection) This section is illustrated in Figure The length of this section is approximately 24.5 km. It is proposed to upgrade and rehabilitate the existing R61 between Ntafufu and Lusikisiki (approximately 18 km) to national road standards by improving the design speed and safety of this section. Where necessary and feasible, climbing lanes would be added and the road cross-section widened. The proposed toll highway would follow the existing concrete road (DR 08024) through the outskirts of Lusikisiki up to the Magwa Intersection (a distance of approximately 5 km). The existing concrete road would be widened to a dual carriageway (see Plate 4.10) while accesses such as the Magwa Intersection would be upgraded to acceptable standards. A grade-separated interchange would be constructed in the vicinity of the current R61/DR Intersection to provide access to the Lusikisiki CBD (see Figure 4.20). Plate 4.10: The existing concrete road to Magwa would be upgraded to a dual carriageway Rehabilitation activities would also include resealing and resurfacing of the road, replacement of guard rails, signage and road markings, provision and maintenance of fencing along the length of the road, provision of pedestrian walkways, where required, construction of over- and/or underpasses for local accessibility and provision of safety features (e.g. lighting), where required. A detailed description of the proposed construction activities for the road section between the Ntafufu River and Lusikisiki (Magwa Intersection) is provided in Table 4.5. CCA Environmental (Pty) Ltd 4-14 December 2009

2 Table 4.5: Proposed construction activities for the road section between the Ntafufu River and Lusikisiki (Magwa Intersection) ROAD SECTION Ntafufu River to Lusikisiki (Magwa Intersection) (24.5 km) DESIGN SPEED (km/h) WORK LAST UNDERTAKEN Original construction in 1993/1995. Concrete road Lusikisiki to Magwa turnoff (5 km) in PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES Upgrade pass to a minimum design speed of 60 km/h, widen and realign as required. Construction of climbing lanes, where required. Widening of road cross-section, where required (see Figure 4.21). Widening of the Mzintlava River bridge. Construction of four-lane undivided road through Lusikisiki. Construction of Lusikisiki Interchange. Upgrading of Magwa Intersection. Safety features such as over and underpasses, improved intersections, fencing, road signs and guard rails Section 6: Lusikisiki (Magwa Intersection) to Mthamvuna River This section is illustrated in Figure 4.22 and would involve the construction of a new road to national road standards. The length of this section is approximately 73.5 km. The first 12.5 km of the proposed N2 toll highway would essentially follow the horizontal alignment of DR Thereafter the proposed new road would be diverted from the DR alignment and would follow a proposed greenfields alignment up to the Mthamvuna River bridge (see Plates 4.11 to 4.16). The alternative alignments between Lusikisiki and the Mthamvuna River being considered during this phase of the EIA process are presented in Chapter 5 and assessed in Part C, Chapter 12. A number of deeply incised gorges and minor streams would be crossed. The gorges, some in the order of 200 to 300 m deep, include, amongst others, the Msikaba, Mthentu and Mzamba River gorges. The Msikaba (see Plate 4.11) and Mthentu (see Plate 4.13) gorge crossings would most probably involve high-level suspension, cable-stayed or arch bridges while the other gorges would be crossed with more conventional concrete structures. A new grade-separated interchange is proposed in the vicinity of the Wild Coast Sun Casino where the proposed new toll highway would intersect the existing R61 (see Figure 4.23). The proposed route would then join the existing R61 before crossing the Mthamvuna River on the existing CH Mitchell bridge, the only major existing crossing of the Mthamvuna River (Plate 4.16). Intersections (future interchanges) are proposed at all locations where the proposed new N2 toll highway between Lusikisiki and the Mthamvuna River would cross existing district roads. These include DR 08141, Mkamela access road, Holy Cross/Mkambati road, DR (several times) and the Amadiba access road. Other construction activities would include the erection of guard rails and signage, provision and maintenance of fencing along the length of the road, provision of pedestrian walkways, where required, construction of over- and/or underpasses for local accessibility and provision of safety features (e.g. lighting), where required. CCA Environmental (Pty) Ltd 4-15 December 2009

3 Plate 4.11: The location of the proposed high-level suspension, cable-stayed or arch bridge across the Msikaba gorge Plate 4.12: Affected area along the proposed alignment close to the KwaDlambu River CCA Environmental (Pty) Ltd 4-16 December 2009

4 Plate 4.13: The location of the proposed high-level suspension, cable-stayed or arch bridge across the Mthentu gorge Plate 4.14: Affected area along the proposed alignment between the Mthentu and Mnyameni rivers CCA Environmental (Pty) Ltd 4-17 December 2009

5 Plate 4.15: Affected area along the proposed route close to the Mpahlane River crossing Plate 4.16: The existing CH Mitchell bridge across the Mthamvuna River CCA Environmental (Pty) Ltd 4-18 December 2009

6 A detailed description of the proposed construction activities per road section between Lusikisiki (Magwa Intersection) and the Mthamvuna River is provided in Table 4.6. Table 4.6: Proposed construction activities per road section between Lusikisiki (Magwa Intersection) and the Mthamvuna River ROAD SECTION Lusikisiki (Magwa Intersection) to Msikaba River (19.5 km); new road section Msikaba River to Mthentu River (22 km); new road section Mthentu River to Mthamvuna River (33 km); new road section DESIGN SPEED (km/h) WORK LAST UNDERTAKEN DR re-gravelled to Msikaba River mouth in PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES New road construction on alignment of existing district road up to Msikaba Village, new frontage and feeder roads. New greenfields construction from Msikaba Village to Msikaba Gorge on a preferred alignment. High-level bridge crossing over Msikaba River. Safety features such as over- and underpasses, improved and new intersections, fencing, road signs and guard rails. 120 New road construction on a preferred alignment. Bridge crossing over the Kwadlambu River. High-level bridge crossing over the Mthentu River. Safety features such as over- and underpasses, new intersections, fencing, road signs and guard rails Last 2 km on R61 constructed New road construction on a preferred alignment. New R61 Interchange (Mthamvuna Interchange). Construction of high-level bridge structures across the Mnyameni, Kulumbe, Mpahlane and Mzamba Rivers. Maintenance and rehabilitation of the existing Mthamvuna River bridge. Safety features such as over- and underpasses, new intersections, fencing, road signs and guard rails. SANRAL s preferred Toll Plaza locality It is proposed to construct a mainline toll plaza in the greenfields section north of the Mthentu River crossing the Mthentu Toll Plaza (see Figure 4.24). An alternative locality for a toll plaza in this section has been identified, namely in the vicinity of the proposed intersection with the Holy Cross/Mkambati road (refer to Figure 4.22 and Section 5.5) Section 7: Mthamvuna River to Isipingo Interchange This section is illustrated in Figure 4.25, while Figure 4.26 provides a detailed illustration of the section between Pennington and Durban. The length of this section is approximately 148 km and would involve the rehabilitation and upgrading of the existing R61/N2. This section includes the existing N2 South Coast Toll Road. The existing R61/N2 between the Mthamvuna River and Southbroom Interchange (approximately 22 km) is currently considered to be in a good condition as it was rehabilitated in 2003/4. However, this section of road is characterised by frequent access points which currently serve a number of holiday resorts and the more rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal. In order to improve road-user safety, it is proposed that some of the current at-grade intersections are upgraded to grade-separated interchanges. Amongst others, these would include the Port Edward and Southbroom intersections. The section of the existing N2 South Coast Toll Road between Southbroom and Hibberdene (approximately 50 km) is considered to be in a good condition and proposed construction activities relate CCA Environmental (Pty) Ltd 4-19 December 2009

7 mostly to safety aspects, such as fencing. The section between Hibberdene and Winklespruit (approximately 61 km) is considered to be in fair to good condition and proposed construction activities would include minor rehabilitation and resurfacing of selected portions, as most of this section has been resurfaced in the recent past. The existing N2 between Winklespruit, Amanzimtoti and the Isipingo Interchange (approximately 15 km) is currently in a fair condition. This section would be widened (capacity has been exceeded) and rehabilitated. An additional lane and paved shoulder would be added in each direction between Amanzimtoti River bridge and the Isipingo Interchange while a further lane would be added in each direction between Dickens Road and Joyner Road interchanges. The sub-standard Adams Road Interchange would be completely reconstructed while a number of overpass bridges would be demolished and reconstructed due to insufficient vertical and/or horizontal clearances. The additional lanes would alleviate current and anticipated future traffic congestion by way of restoring the required LOS. Other construction activities would include resurfacing of the road, replacement of guard rails, signage and road markings, provision and maintenance of fencing along the length of the road and provision of safety features (e.g. lighting, where required). All construction activities would occur within the existing road reserve, with the exception of the Adams Road Interchange and the proposed mainline toll plazas at Park Rynie and Isipingo. A detailed description of the proposed construction activities per road section between the Mthamvuna River and the Isipingo Interchange is provided in Table 4.7. Table 4.7: Proposed construction activities per road section between the Mthamvuna River and the Isipingo Interchange ROAD SECTION Mthamvuna River to Southbroom (23 km) Southbroom to Marburg Interchange (22 km) Marburg Interchange to St Faiths Interchange (6 km) St Faiths Interchange to Umhlungwa Interchange (Hibberdene) (23 km) Umhlumgwa Interchange (Hibberdene) to Park Rynie Interchange (31.7 km) Park Rynie Interchange to Winklespruit Interchange (29 km) DESIGN SPEED (km/h) WORK LAST UNDERTAKEN Original construction in the early 1980s. 120 Original construction in early 1990s. 120 Original construction in early 1990s. 120 Original construction in early 1990s. 120 Original construction in mid-1970s to 1980s. 120 Original construction completed in PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES Upgrading of at-grade intersections. Construction of Port Edward and Southbroom interchanges (see Figures 4.27 and 4.28). Improvement of intersection layouts, where required. Consolidation of access points illegal and dangerous accesses would be closed and feeder roads constructed to provide access at new, safe and appropriate access points. Safety improvements. Minor rehabilitation and resurfacing, as required. Safety improvements. Minor rehabilitation and resurfacing, as required. Construction of ramp plazas on the southern ramps of the Pennington Interchange (see Plate 4.17). Construction of ramp plazas on the southern ramps of the Park Rynie Interchange (see Figure 4.29). Safety improvements. Minor rehabilitation and resurfacing, as required. Construction of proposed Park Rynie mainline toll plaza (see Figure 4.29). CCA Environmental (Pty) Ltd 4-20 December 2009

8 ROAD SECTION Winklespruit Interchange to Adams Road Interchange (Amanzimtoti) (5.5 km) Adams Road Interchange (Amanzimtoti) to Dickens Road Interchange (Athlone Park) (5.1 km) Dickens Road Interchange (Athlone Park) to Isipingo Interchange (4 km) DESIGN SPEED (km/h) WORK LAST UNDERTAKEN 100 Original construction in late 1970s. 100 Original construction in late 1970s. 100 Original construction in late 1970s. PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES Construction of ramp plazas on the northern ramps of the Scottburgh Interchange (see Plate 4.18). Construction of ramp plazas on the northern ramps of the Umkomaas Interchange (see Plate 4.19). Resurfacing and rehabilitation, as required. Widening of Amanzimtoti River Bridge. Addition of third lane and paved shoulder from Amanzimtoti River northwards. Reconstruction of Adams Road Interchange to improve the operational safety of the interchange (see Figure 4.30). Construction of ramp plazas on the southern ramps of the Adams Road Interchange (see Figure 4.30). Resurfacing and rehabilitation of existing road pavement. Addition of a third lane in each direction. Construction of ramp plazas on the southern ramps of the Moss Kolnick Drive Interchange (see Plate 4.20). Resurfacing and rehabilitation of existing road pavement. Addition of a third lane and paved shoulders in each direction. Addition of a fourth lane between Dickens Road and Joyner Road in each direction (see Figure 4.31). Construction of ramp plazas on the southern ramps of the Joyner Road Interchange (see Plate 4.21). Construction of proposed Isipingo mainline toll plaza south of the Prospecton Road (Isipingo) Interchange (see Figure 4.32). SANRAL s preferred Toll Plaza locality A mainline toll plaza is proposed in the Park Rynie area, in close proximity to the Park Rynie on- and offramps the Park Rynie Toll Plaza (see Figure 4.29) while a second mainline toll plaza is proposed between the Joyner Road Interchange and the Prospecton Road (Isipingo) Interchange, at the limit of the concession the Isipingo Toll Plaza (see Figure 4.32). The existing Oribi mainline Toll Plaza between Izotsha and Umtentweni would be incorporated into the proposed project. The following existing ramp plazas would also be included: Shelly Beach Interchange (existing Izotsha ramp plazas); Marburg Interchange (existing Oribi northern and southern ramp plazas); and Umtentweni Interchange (existing Umtentweni ramp plazas). New ramp toll plazas are proposed as follows: Pennington Interchange (southern ramps); Park Rynie Interchange (southern ramps); Scottburgh Interchange (northern ramps); Umkomaas Interchange (northern ramps); Adams Road Interchange (southern ramps); Moss Kolnick Interchange (southern ramps); and Joyner Road Interchange (southern ramps). CCA Environmental (Pty) Ltd 4-21 December 2009

9 Plate 4.17: The location for the proposed ramp toll plazas at the Pennington Interchange Plate 4.18: The location for the proposed ramp toll plaza at the Scottburgh Interchange CCA Environmental (Pty) Ltd 4-22 December 2009

10 Plate 4.19: The location for the proposed ramp toll plaza at the Umkomaas Interchange Plate 4.20: The location for the proposed ramp toll plaza at the Moss Kolnick Interchange CCA Environmental (Pty) Ltd 4-23 December 2009

11 Plate 4.21: The location for the proposed ramp toll plaza at the Joyner Road Interchange 4.3 WORK TO BE UNDERTAKEN DURING BALANCE OF THE CONCESSION PERIOD It should be noted that the construction work to be undertaken during the balance of the concession period is not assessed as part of this EIA. Separate EIAs would be undertaken on this work before planned commencement thereof. The following work would be undertaken during the balance of the concession period: Widening to four lanes of the entire section of the road between East London and Ndwalane, and between the Mthamvuna River and Southbroom; In addition, the existing N2 South Coast Toll Road would be widened to four lanes. Further widening would also be undertaken between Scottburgh and Isipingo; The entire road would require major rehabilitation in a 15 to 20-year cycle, with minor rehabilitation on a 7 to 10-year cycle within the larger period; Future ring roads (bypasses) are envisaged at Butterworth, Dutywa and Mthatha. It should, however, be noted that in light of comments received from I&APs and the independent technical reviewer during the Scoping Study, SANRAL is currently considering the construction of these ring roads (bypasses) as part of the Initial Construction Works. The proposed ring roads (bypasses) would be subject to a separate environmental authorisation process; and It is envisaged that additional grade-separated interchanges would be required as well as upgrades to remaining at-grade intersections. CCA Environmental (Pty) Ltd 4-24 December 2009

12 4.4 GENERAL IMPROVEMENTS A number of general improvements would be introduced along the full length of the proposed toll highway. These include: Video surveillance cameras at toll plazas, emergency roadside phones and regular highway patrols; Safety features, where none now exist, such as over- and underpasses, fencing, lighting, pedestrian walkways remote from the traffic flow; and Operation and maintenance of the proposed toll road to specified requirements for toll roads. This would be the Concessionaire s main obligation. CCA Environmental (Pty) Ltd 4-25 December 2009