N2 junction delay

The first phase of the Ballito N2 interchange is expected to be “substantially complete” by June 2014 – but the finish date for the entire project is still in the air.
Dawie Erasmus and Dave Duke of consultants Snowy Mountain Engineering Corporation say rain and other external factors could affect the completion date.
The interchange has had several delays since construction started but Erasmus said the project is well underway under Stefanutti Stocks’. He said much of the work has been done, with the new bridge over the N2 freeway nearing completion.
The P445 (Ballito Drive) over the N2 is being re-aligned with the new bridge and newly constructed ramps are being re-aligned to prepare for the construction of the loop ramps on either side of the interchange.
“Taxi embayments will be constructed near the loops on the N2 level either side of the bridge. Once traffic is moved onto the new bridge, the existing N2 (Ballito) bridge will be demolished. The third right-turning lanes on either side of the new interchange bridge going north and south will be for free-flowing traffic, decreasing traffic congestion,” Erasmus told a recent Hirsch’s Ballito networking breakfast.
Pedestrians will be catered for with specialised walkways and retaining walls will be erected between each loop ramp and the pedestrian walkways.
The  acquisition of land at the Greenfields Development west of the interchange and near Popechester Properties on the east side has been finalised.
“We are trying our best to facilitate making the construction as painless as possible and placing emphasis on traffic accommodation measures.”
The new six-lane Ballito Drive is progressing smoothly with the first traffic circle near Greenfields Service Station and the last near the M4 already being removed.
These will be paved through to make way for traffic lights and a four-circle roundabout around Sangweni Tourism Centre, said Duke.
“The existing traffic circles would not be able to handle the expected future traffic. Two new link roads, from Greenfields to Douglas Crowe and from the M4 to Ballito Drive, are proposed in a second phase.”

Duke also gave details of the proposed 75-bay taxi holding facility behind Greenfields Service Station, with a taxi access road and traffic circle.
“Two metre sidewalks will be constructed on either side of the new P445 and the road will incorporate a central median and turning slots for pedestrian and vehicle safety. There will be taxi and bus bays at major intersections and streetlighting.”
Ballito Drive west will also be upgraded at a cost of R114m, with plans to widen the existing railway bridge, build sidewalks and install streetlighting.
If the P445 project continues on schedule it should be finished in October 2014. SANRAL project manager Zandile Nene apologised for the delays in construction and thanked the public for their patience.