The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DOI) project to upgrade 3.8 km of MR 201 (R301) from a single carriageway to a dual carriageway, between the N1 at Paarl and Kliprug Road (OP5255), has been completed.
“This section of MR201 is now a Class E (ii) dual carriageway that is 5 metres wide over most of its length, tapering to 1.9 metres at intersections to allow for a right turning lane, with a 2.8 metres surfaced shoulder and a kerb and a channel along most of its length,” said Jandré Bakker, DOI Director for Operational Support. “A pedestrian sidewalk and a median have been built, and traffic signals and lighting have been installed. Two major culverts across non-perennial rivers have been lengthened, and an existing culvert replaced. A new urban drainage system has been built to direct stormwater into the nearest natural drainage channel. Catchpits and inlet structures have been built to feed into the urban stormwater system. Traffic capacity enhancements have also been made at intersections. Kliprug Road was realigned so that the intersection of MR201 and Kliprug Road could be upgraded from a roundabout to a signalised T-junction. This was done at a R214.8 million investment,” Bakker continued.
Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers said, “There is a staggered junction at OP5256 – the road that provides access to the Wildepaarde and Azalea Acres developments – and the road accesses to the Zanddrift and Boschenmeer developments. The plan as envisaged in the current contract was to consolidate all these access roads to one access on MR201 for reasons of safety and mobility. However, at the time of construction, the Zanddrift development had not yet commenced and its starting date was uncertain. This meant that existing access roads to Wildepaarde and Boschenmeer could not be closed. Modifications were therefore made to the median island and turning lane layout to maintain access. The consolidated intersection, as envisaged in the current contract, including the realignment of OP5256 that will be required, will be undertaken by Zanddrift Development when that particular project commences”.
“The project created 241 short-term work opportunities against a target of 200. It further created 39 786 person-days of work against a target of 20 000. R48.5 million was spent on procuring goods and services from targeted enterprises against a target of R26 million. A total of 14 local enterprises and six emerging contractors benefited from the project, both those contract participation goals met,” Minister Simmers continued.
“This project is part of significant investment in the area with various projects currently underway. I wish to thank road users for their patience during the 33-month construction process,” Minister Simmers concluded.
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