Upgrade on critical R61 nearing completion after two years
TWO years after the Eastern Cape department of roads and public works awarded two mega projects in Mbizana, the Magusheni to Mzamba projects are 95% and 96% completed.
The upgrading of the provincial road on the R61 from Magusheni to Mzamba was awarded to reputable Rumdel Construction – the only construction company with a CIDB [Construction Industry Development Board] range of Grade 9 in the province – and Murray and Roberts.
The 80km project is being implemented in four phases.
The upgrade was necessitated by the importance of the road, as it links the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, thus making it a strategic road for both economic growth and social reasons.
Before the project got off the ground, the road had been narrow and was riddled with potholes, making it difficult for motorists to drive on and extremely dangerous.
Because of the bad state of the road, the accident rate was shockingly high.
The road was last upgraded in 1985. Now it will have an improved pavement structure and better horizontal and vertical alignment.
It will also have climbing lanes in certain sections to improve the flow of traffic.
And because there are several villages close to the road, there is about 20km of pedestrian sidewalk for improved safety.
Many motorists opted to use the already busy N2 when travelling to KwaZulu-Natal. Seeing the need to rehabilitate the road and unlock some Wild Coast tourism potential, the department set aside millions of rands for the project.
Rumdel Construction was awarded the phase 1 project at a cost of R508million on April 20 2015, but the final estimated contract price is R588-million. Murray and Roberts was roped in for phase two.
The company was awarded a R422million tender which was supposed to have been for 28 months, ending on August 21 this year.
However, the phase is expected to be completed on December 15 at an estimated R471-million final contract estimate.
In both phases, benefited.
A permanent bypass is also under construction to alleviate traffic jams in Mbizana town, so long-distance local small businesses motorists will soon have the option of not driving through the town.
Department of Roads and Public Works provincial spokesman Mphumzi Zuzile said only 40km still needed to be worked on.
The 40km road upgrade will be handed over to a construction company in April next year, he said. The spokesman said having an upgraded and even road would have muchneeded economic spin-offs.
“If you look at the area, Port Edward – which connects [KwaZuluNatal and the Eastern Cape] – is a tourist destination.
“Tthe road upgrade will be good for economic development and the Wild Coast.
It will open tourism opportunities up not only in Mbizana, but in the Wild Coast area.
“Also, it will reduce the burden on the N2,” Zuzile said.