MBOMBELA – The Crossing shopping complex will expand in the near future and the application for the expansion has been handed in to the Mbombela Local Municipality (MLM).
This will result in more shops being built leading to more customers that will make use of the complex. Due to the expected increase in customers an increase in traffic to and from the centre is expected as well.
From traffic studies undertaken by the complex some provision for additional exits and entrances will have to be made. These will be constructed as the centre expands and more shops are being added.
Due to the increase in traffic there will also be more pressure on the surrounding municipal roads. MLM has required the complex to upgrade the surrounding roads as part of the development upgrade. These upgrades have been identified by traffic studies that were done and the design of the upgrades was done in collaboration with the technical department.
The upgrades of the surrounding municipal roads will, in particular, involve the betterment of the Samora Machel Drive (Old N4) / Madiba Drive (R40) intersection.
The improvements will include:
• the construction of additional turning lanes towards White River, coming from the Mbombela CBD area (westbound right-turning lane – upgrade from two to three turning lanes)
• addition of lanes at the intersection going towards Emalahleni (westbound through lane – upgrade from two to three turning lanes)
• the construction of an additional right-turning lane to Barberton, coming from the Emalahleni side (eastbound right turning lane – upgrade from one to two turning lanes).
The improvements will inadvertently require that the centre median of Samora Machel Drive be reduced in width and that the light poles, traffic lights, irrigation lines and plants be relocated. This will be done in close cooperation with the relevant municipal departments.
Apart from these mentioned upgrades the Crossing will also provide an additional exit lane into Samora Machel Drive as well as on Madiba Drive at its main entrance.
