R125-million project set for M4

The R125-millon rehab project set aside for the M4 between the uMhlanga and eMdloti interchange ramps by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport will bring welcome relief for motorists and cyclists alike. Construction work began yesterday and the project is expected to go on for 14 months (which includes possible rain delays) along the 9.2km stretch of road.

The project involves the removal of the existing asphalt surface, heavy rehabilitation of the underlying layers and resurfacing the road. Of interest is that it is intended to be a highly “green” process, with almost all of the milled off material being re-processed and re-used in the layers.

It’s a much needed improvement said ward councillor, Heinz de Boer.

M4 will be a ‘first class road’

“The project is absolutely essential. As councillor, I have received dozens of complaints, especially from the cycling community about the state of the road. It’s been riddled with massive potholes and as we have seen, there have been some bad sinkholes near uMhlanga. So while I am sure tempers will flare and the public will be inconvenienced, this project is necessary in upgrading this stretch once and for all. Once complete, we could expect the road to be a first class carriageway that will serve the public well for at least 20 years.

“The M4 between uMhlanga offramp and the eMdloti offramps will be affected for approximately a year. In the portions where there are double lanes (like near uMhlanga), one lane will be closed while construction takes place. In the area going toward the river, the work will be carried out at night to minimise the impact on motorists. The eMdloti offramps going over the bridge will also be resurfaced,” De Boer said.

He urged the public to plan for expected delays in their daily travel times and asked for their patience and understanding.

“The long term affects will be multiple. Not only will the road be a ‘first class’road, but it would help secure the economic future of key areas like King Shaka Airport, uMhlanga and Durban North. The M4 is the most used carriageway in the northern region, and is a vital link between the city centre and our tourist hubs like uMhlanga and eMdloti.

Delays unavoidable says project designer

Martin Gardiner, one of the designers of the project with Naidu Consulting (Pty) Ltd, tasked with supervising the construction, stated that the contractor, who will be carrying out the construction work, is Milling Techniks (Pty) Ltd.

Gardiner said there would be delays but this was unavoidable. “Where there are three lanes, one lane in each direction will be kept open to traffic. However, where there are only two lanes, one lane will be kept open while the other is worked on. In this instance, a stop-go system will operate. This work will be carried out at night wherever possible, when traffic volumes are low,” he said.

Gardiner added work would be carried out on Saturdays on a trial basis. “Construction on the road will be monitored to see how badly it affects the traffic. Obviously, the quicker we work, the sooner the job will be done,” he said.

Upgrade a welcome for cyclists

Durban North cyclist, Wally Bodin, said he welcomed the decision to repair the M4 which is one of the most treacherous stretches for cyclists due to the overgrown bushes which have taken over the yellow line alongside the freeway forcing them onto the road.

“It’s definitely a welcome relief for both motorists and cyclists,” he said. However, Bodin erred on the side of caution, asking who would maintain the stretch of road, once the construction project was completed. “We need the support of the authorities to protect all road users. What I would like to see as well as other cyclists is the constructors consulting with Cycling KZN because it’s such a well known cycling route,” he said.