eThekwini needs R22m for Solomon Mahlangu Drive upgrades
The human settlements, engineering and transport committee made a proposal for a major amendment to the Solomon Mahlangu Drive upgrade.
ETHEKWINI Municipality will need an additional R22m for the upgrades to Solomon Mahlangu Drive intersection.
This emerged at a recent council meeting after the committee received a report from the human settlements, engineering and transport committee on the proposed major amendment to Solomon Mahlangu road upgrade.
Also read: eThekwini Municipality details causes of sinkholes
The contractor was appointed on June 8, 2021 to widen the existing eastbound carriageway of Solomon Mahlangu by providing additional lanes.
In September 2021 Sanral informed the eThekwini Municipality of its intention to upgrade the existing N2/M7 interchange, similar to the upgraded Umgeni Interchange on the N2 Freeway.
The Sanral upgrade includes two new lanes to merge into the existing Solomon Mahlangu Drive carriageway. This resulted in additional work for the municipality as it became necessary to construct a mechanically stabilised earth wall along the eastbound carriageway of Solomon Mahlangu Drive to accommodate this new off-ramp.
According to the report the project has been affected by localised floods as a result of recent heavy rains which caused damages to the work already underway.
The committee made the following commendations for the M7 Road upgrade:
- The contract amendment benefits the Council by preventing delays, managing costs and reducing the risk of non-award due to limited availability of major service provider.
- Challenges arose during foundation construction of the mechanically stabilised earth wall due to unexpected bedrock, requiring a redesign of the concrete base to suit site conditions.
- Special lateral support was needed to stabilise the embankment and ensure safe construction, leading to additional costs and extended project duration.
- Increased rainfall caused groundwater to flow into the excavated embankment, leading to slope failure and requiring emergency repairs for stability.
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