There are two options for residents to choose from
SMEC South Africa recently completed its report on the proposed alternative access road for the suburb of Dana Bay.
Dana Bay has only one access road and no alternative or emergency exit route.
In the recent past, on a number of occasions, residents were trapped in the suburb, due to either natural disasters such as veld fires or civil unrest.
The planning and design of the two options have been completed after a council decision in 2018. Several considerations - among others obtaining environmental planning, negotiations for funding and negotiations with the landowners - need to take place once a specific option is decided upon.
Eventually it is planned to move the current entrance into Dana Bay via Flora Road, from the Louis Fourie Road/Flora Road intersection to join the Crotz Street intersection. It is intended to relocate this access by about 500m to the east, as part of a different project. This will increase the distance at the intersection for vehicles accessing the road from the N2.
Residents will have the option to participate in an online poll on the municipal website to indicate their preferred choice of alternative route. The poll will run from 22 July (07:00) until 24 July (21:00) on www.mosselbay.gov. za
Two proposed options are mooted:
Option A
An extension of Flora Road to the western side of Dana Bay, to link up with the N2 at the Herbertsdale intersection. This option is estimated to cost R20.815 million (including VAT), and will consist of two surfaced lanes of 3.6m each, and a 0.6m surfaced shoulder on each side.
It is seen as an effective emergency/ evacuation route towards Cape Town. It provides a second access route to Dana Bay only for eastbound traffic. It will improve mobility to/from Dana Baai, as travellers to/from the west, will be able to gain direct access to/from the N2, without having to travel east first.
Option B
This is an extension of Flora Road to Apiesdoring Street in Heiderand to the eastern side of Dana Bay. The road profile will consist of two surfaced lanes of 3.6m each, and a 0.6m surfaced shoulder on each side.
It is estimated to cost R 21.735 million (including VAT).
Both options have both advantages and disadvantages to consider. Taking part in the online poll will offer residents access to a map of each of the proposed options, as well as more information on the proposals. Residents are invited to participate in the online poll.
The result of the poll will form part of the report into the proposed alternative route that council will have at its next monthly meeting.
Further details on the poll will be available in pamphlet form and distributed at businesses in Dana Bay as of today, Friday 19 July.