M4 reopens after more than seven months
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala arrived at the site of the repair this morning to officially reopen the road for use.
The M4 Ruth First freeway was reopened this morning after a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala arrived at the site of the repair to officially reopen the road for use.
[IMAGES] KwaZulu-Natal Premier Mr Sihle Zikalala @sziks arrives at the Ruth First M4 in Umhlanga (Durban) to officially open the road and hand it over to the public @eThekwiniM @KZNTransport @kzngov #GrowingKZNTogether pic.twitter.com/i8xUwpPs8p
— KZN Provincial Gov (@kzngov) June 12, 2020
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was also attended by eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and MEC for Transport Bheki Ntuli.
“We are excited to officially hand over this road to the public. This road is an important link between the city, Dube Tradeport and King Shaka International Airport,” said mayor Kaunda.
The moment we have all been waiting for is finally here!
Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, MEC for Transport Bheki Ntuli and Premier Sihle Zikalala officially opening the M4/Ruth First Highway that was damaged by floods last year. pic.twitter.com/weoRCHoZfa
— eThekwini Municipality (@eThekwiniM) June 12, 2020
Just over seven months ago, the M4 between Lighthouse road and Sibaya Circle was washed away completely after a number of heavy storms lashed the coastal roadway.
Repair crews were called in to assess and repair however, another storm struck further damaging the road, causing a partial collapse.
A new contractor was later appointed to see to the repair of the road which was reopened today.
Devru Civils contract manager, Shaun Naidoo said they had installed the longest underground pipe in the province to allow for the flow of water beneath the road between Portland Drive and the wetland near Breaker’s Resort.
Also read: M4 to re-open this week
The pipe is 232 metres long.
The company completed the project in 93 days, and might have done so 39 days sooner if not for the national lockdown.
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