The much-anticipated GO!Durban, the eThekwini Municipality’s integrated rapid public transport network, which is currently in its first phase of construction with the first dedicated route being developed from Bridge City in KwaMashu to Pinetown CBD, is making good progress.

All eyes have been on the transformation of the St John’s Bridge in Pinetown, from a public road underpass to a dedicated bus lane underpass, but at the same time ensuring the widening of Josiah Gumede Avenue on either side to allow for increased vehicle flow, that will result.

This site has been a hive of construction activities since May last year, and the ETA’s Head of Road System Management, Carlos Esteves is pleased to provide some technical information on this progress:

“The underpass (Josiah Gumede Ave/Old Main Rd) was narrowed to allow one lane in each direction which will be dedicated for the GO!Durban busses. Ninety percent of the work has been successfully completed on this. The bridge deck was widened by approximately 15m on each side to accommodate the extra lanes that will be constructed – (75% completed). Furthermore service ducts to accommodate existing and future services have been installed (90% complete) and precast barriers are being installed on the newly constructed retaining walls (40% complete).”

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A section of the GO!Durban roadway on Qashana Khuzwayo (Shepstone) Road in New Germany which has been under construction for almost a year, opened last week (Thursday) for mixed use traffic.

Both north- and southbound traffic along this road had been diverted through Blase Road, Chelsea Ave and Escom Road, so that work could be fast tracked in the section between Blase and Escom for GO!Durban’s first dedicated bus lane which will run from Bridge City in KwaMashu and Pinetown CBD.

The Deputy Head of Road System Management, at the eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA), Carlos Esteves says  “The ETA is endeavouring to re-establish the continuity of traffic flow along Qashana Khuzwayo Road, but still under a restricted construction environment while the balance of the work is completed. Some traffic signal equipment was stolen and the re-instatement of the signals at the intersections will be delayed for a few days so motorists are requested to drive carefully and to treat any intersection where the signals are not working as a four-way stop.”

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From September 16, intersections along Josiah Gumede Ave, between Anderson and Beviss Road will undergo construction as part of the GO!Durban development of the new integrated rapid public transport network.

“Due to the difficulties involved in constructing the intersection of Josiah Gumede and School/Meller Roads this intersection construction needs to be carried out during normal daily working times.” explains Carlos Esteves, Head of Road System Management at the eThekwini Transport Authority.

“This area will be subject to temporary deviation across Josiah Gumede from Meller and School Roads. Adequate signage to be displayed on the Josiah Gumede crossing. We would like to advise citizens in this area that noise from construction vehicles and equipment, and voices of staff working on this should be expected at this time. Work is anticipated to start from September 16 by 07h00 and would be expected to be completed within approximately four to five days.”

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As part of a roadshow to various wards along the first route of GO!Durban, the eThekwini Municipality’s new integrated rapid public transport network two more community meetings will take place in Wards 20 and 39.

Businesses and community members from eThekwini Municipality’s Ward 20 and Ward 39 are invited to attend these engagements hosted by the relevant ward councillors, at which senior managers from the eThekwini Transport Authority will be giving presentations and explanations on the project, its progress, and the benefits of developing the new public transport network for all within the Municipality.

Individuals and businesses from these two communities are also invited to register on the Employment Opportunities Database. Registration requires that the following documents are provided: identity document, proof of qualifications (if a qualification has been obtained) and proof of relevant skills – for example, driver’s license, or reference. Local businesses/contractors should bring their documentation (proof of registration/ tax declaration etc).

This Employment Opportunities Database provides valuable information for GO!Durban when there is a call for new quotes from subcontractors or applications for employment on the construction in a relevant ward.

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The Colleen Dardagan KWAZULU-NATAL property development company, Tongaat Hulett, and the eThekwini Municipality have announced a R280-million interchange to link the Cornubia development and the Umhlanga precinct.

The multibillion-rand Cornubia development has been declared a national priority project. When it is completed, it will include 10 000 affordable residential units, 15 000 subsidized units, and 2.5 million square metres of commercial and industrial property. Thami Manyathi, the head of the city’s transport authority said the bridge and interchange off the N2 highway would be built where the extension of Umhlanga Ridge Boulevard crosses the freeway, alongside the existing Porsche dealership.

Work on the project will start next month, and is scheduled to be completed in January 2017. Manyathi said the interchange was integral to the city’s proposed rapid public transport system dubbed GO!Durban. He said R346 million was earmarked for roads, bridges, interchanges, sewer, water and electrical infrastructure already under way for the public transport system. Iain Burns, from Investec Properties, said the development would improve access and add to the attractiveness of the Cornubia Shopping Centre.

The new route is expected to alleviate the traffic congestion on the M41. Karen Pietersen, the development director of Tongaat Hulett Development, said the group expected to release the last available business precinct in the area to the market soon.

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As part of an ongoing endeavour to engage with public transport drivers in the eThekwini Municipality, the eThekwini Transport Authority held a Public Transport Drivers’ summit.

“This was an opportunity for us all to begin having meaningful conversations about the future of transport in the city.” says His Worship the Mayor, Cllr James Nxumalo. “This summit marks the first in many gatherings we as a municipality need to have with this sector which employs literally thousands of people across the city.  Transport as we see it, provides the secret to the economic success of the city and it also provides the tangible aim for our vision of making this Africa’s most liveable and caring city by 2030.”

“The objective of the summit was to create a platform for discussing a range of issues, which affect public transport drivers.” explains the Mayor. “Some of these issues include the implementation of the sectoral determination (basic conditions of employment) for the industry particularly the minibus taxi industry;  the improvement of customer care and the promotion of professional conduct by public transport drivers, the skill requirements for the  new integrated rapid public transport network environment and future subsidized service contracts, on-going consultation and information sharing about planned changes, and new developments in public transport in the City, and very importantly the ongoing challenge of road safety.”

For more information click here.