Qumza Highway, Mdantsane’s main access road, is due for a major upgrade in January.
Buffalo City Metro recently advertised a tender for the construction of a new double lane road that will run from the congested Mdantsane City Mall to Golden Highway.
BCM spokesman Sibusiso Cindi said the first phase of the project would cover 2.36km out of a total 4.2km.
Last week, acting city manager Nceba Ncunyana urged potential bidders to attend a compulsory briefing session for the tender on Thursday morning while Cindi said the awarding of the tender was expected to take place in December.
Although parts of the Qumza Highway are already dual lane, the road goes into a single lane near the Mdantsane City Mall and is often congested as a result.
The new roadworks will include:
lConstruction of 2.36km of dual lane road with a kerb in the middle;
lConstruction of two culverts at two low-lying areas; and
lConstruction of intersection control measures at major intersections to Qumza Highway.
“The project is the continuation of a project that is part of the upgrading of Qumza Highway as the main road to dual way, so traffic flow and travelling time is reduced,” Cindi explained.
“It’s part of the main public transport route within the area that is used by most taxis.”
Cindi said Mdantsane residents could expect their lives to be changed as the project’s main goal was to provide a safe public transport route for the area and also improve intersection control.
“Traffic circles will be constructed at most intersections for easy access onto the main road,” he said.
“This will ease traffic congestion, provide improved traffic flow and better access to Qumza Highway. The upgrade will also enhance the image and look of the area and thus draw more people to shop in Qumza and business people to invest in the area.”
The Mdantsane East London Taxi Association spokesman Welile Blayi said all taxi associations in East London had been informed of the proposed road upgrade earlier this year.
He said they welcomed the news and believed it would go a long way to relieving congestion.
“Accidents do happen on the road and there is just too much traffic congestion in the mornings and during peak hour. This will certainly assist residents and workers as they will get to work quicker and safer,” Blayi added. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za