AFTER a significant increase in work rate and the spending of funds, completion of the John Ross highway construction is clearly in sight.
Speaking at the bi-monthly meeting of the John Ross Parkway Upgrade Project Liaison Committee meeting on Thursday, construction engineer Drew Wilson of RHDHV said ‘we’re on the last stretch’.
Referring to the final, and highly complex Empangeni Rail section, which includes the second road-over-rail bridge, Wilson said R11-million had been spent in the past month, compared to the past average monthly spend of R3- to R4-million.
This was due to the extra weekend and night shift working.
The 29-month ‘Rail Bridge Project’, which commenced in April 2012, is scheduled for practical completion in September this year – effectively heralding the
completion of the entire highway.
To date, R91-million of the rail section’s R132-million budget has been spent, using local suppliers, materials and sub-contractors and in the process creating 89 job opportunities with R4-million paid on local wages.
Progress report
The eastbound carriageway (R102 to Oilco) is now 90% complete and is carrying traffic in both directions from the New Tanner Road intersection.
This is allowing for construction of the westbound carriageway at the Caltex/Quality Cars section as well as the old Tanner Road intersection.
There has also been significant progress at the R102 (Grantham Highway) intersection, where surfacing work continues and completion is at 90%.
Work on the second road-over-rail bridge (Bridge B) is also going well, with all the beams on the three spans safely place.
Casting of the diaphragm walls and pouring of the concrete deck will take place, after which the remaining section of the westbound carriageway from the N2 will be linked to Bridge B.
