A roundabout solution
PLETTENBERG BAY - Work will start at the end of this month on an "ellipse" or circle to improve one of Plettenberg Bay's biggest accident hotspots and traffic hazards, the N2/Beacon Way intersection.
Sanral's R98m project will take 10 months to complete and should bring welcome relief to motorists using the busy intersection. It is one of the biggest capital projects to be launched in Plett in recent years.
The intersection has seen many accidents, with a least one fatality.
Sanral says the project was driven by congestion and delays. The good news about the much talked-about solution, first mooted in 2016, is that it will give an economic injection to local labour and some local businesses. The cost of the project was estimated at about R71m in August 2022.
Sanral announced the project in a statement in January 2024. "In the interests of improved mobility and road safety, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (Sanral) has awarded a R98m construction contract for road improvements on the N2/Beacon Way intersection in Plettenberg Bay, in the Bitou Municipality," the statement read.
Setting up site
The contract was awarded to Martin & East in December 2023. The project will kick off soon with a two-month period for site mobilisation. "During this time, the main contractor will develop a labour data base from which to source local labour, as well as do an assessment of skills available for subcontracting purposes," read the Sanral statement.
The work entails the construction of a three-leg traffic circle (which looks like an ellipse) with a dedicated eastbound throughlane. Dedicated left-turn lanes are also provided into and out of Beacon Way. A
double lane will carry the westbound traffic through the traffic circle, joining the double lane of eastbound traffic.
Benefits
Randall Cable, Sanral Western Region manager, said the improvement should bring relief to the congestion that is experienced at the intersection during peak demand periods.
"This project is not only about improved
mobility and road safety, but will also bring some limited, but much-needed economic opportunities in the region," he said.
In line with Sanral's interim procurement policy, at least 30% of the final contract value is earmarked for subcontracting to targeted enterprises (SMMEs).
Some of the work to be subcontracted includes traffic accommodation, construction of concrete kerbs and channels, storm water facilities, erection of guardrails, segmental block paving, landscaping, fencing and road signs.
Cable said training, coaching, guidance and monitoring will also be provided to subcontractors who work on the project.
"Because of the limited duration of the contract, it is hoped that accredited training will assist recipients in accessing further employment upon completion of the project," he said.
Asked to comment on the circle and its effect, Bitou Mayor Dave Swart said that a traffic circle at this intersection has long been hoped for.
"For many years traffic control by means of a traffic circle has been mooted for the intersection. Various options have in the past been considered and a design has now been approved and plans are starting to move forward," he said.
"Sanral has already awarded the contract for the construction of the circle and the first meeting in Bitou with the contractor is provisionally planned for 22 January."
He noted that the first two months of the project will be devoted to getting all arrangements in place and therefore no activity will be visible on the site.
Actual construction activities (work on site) are planned to commence on 22 March and continue for eight months up to 22 November.
"We will update the public as and when information becomes available," said Swart.