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Traffic delays expected as the Western Aqueduct progresses

9 Apr 2014

As work on the second phase of the Western Aqueduct - the mega bulk water pipeline which extends from Inchanga to Ntuzuma - gathers momentum, eThekwini Water and Sanitation (EWS) has warned motorists of potential disruptions and road closures that can be expected within the next couple of months.

WK Construction lays pipes in excavated trenches as work progresses on the second contract of the Western Aqueduct pipeline between Alverstone Nek and Ashley Drive in Hillcrest

Project manager, Martin Bright, said that feedback from residents so far had been extremely positive. He said that a commitment to the delivery of much needed infrastructure had seen R600 million in additional funds fast forwarded.

As a result, all contracts that make up the spine of the Western Aqueduct as well as that for the construction of a 20 megalitre reservoir at Ashley Drive had been awarded. Work has begun along a number of fronts with completion expected as early as 2017.

He said EWS and the contractors that were working on the pipeline had put in place traffic management systems to ensure the safety of motorists and minimize inconvenience as much as possible.

According to Bright, significant progress had already been made on the first contract for the 7km stretch between Inchanga Station and Alverstone Neck. This was awarded to Cycad Pipelines in April last year with completion expected during the second quarter of next year.

The second contract, which begins at Alverstone Nek and continues to Ashley Drive in Hillcrest, was awarded to WK SA Construction in August last year. Construction is well underway with completion scheduled for the first quarter of 2015.

Measures put in place

Bright said that the following measures would be put in place shortly as work on this segment of the pipeline progressed:

From the beginning of April, traffic will flow in a one way direction from Hospital Road towards Emoyeni Drive in Hillcrest. From there, it will be directed into a one way detour via Martin Lane before exiting into Commonage Road and then moving back into Hospital Road.

The 200 metre stretch of road in front of Hillcrest Primary school, where pipes were laid during the Christmas school holidays to minimize inconvenience to parents dropping off children, will be closed for rehabilitation. During this four week period, parents will be able to drop off children behind the school via Martin Lane.

The segment of Emoyeni Drive stretching from the intersection with Commonage Road to Martin Lane will be closed to traffic from June.

From the end of April, pipes will also be laid along Stonewall Road, starting from the railway bridge and extending to Old Main Road. This will necessitate partial road closures and stop go systems will be put in place to deviate traffic around the areas where trenches are being excavated and pipes laid. This is expected to continue for at least six months and road users will be notified of specific details of traffic management plans as work progresses.

The contract for the largest segment of the pipeline which measures 55 kilometres from Inchanga Station to Ntuzuma has been awarded to Esorfranki Construction. Work has already begun within the railway reserve between Ashley Drive and Everton Road which is not expected to cause any disruption to traffic.
However, motorists should note the following:

Work has already commenced along Wyebank Road from the intersection with Hilltop Road towards KwaDabeka. This has necessitated the closure of one of the lanes in sections where pipe is being laid. Stop Go's have been put in place. This work will be conducted using a phased approach in order to minimize disruptions as much as possible. Motorists are also advised that an alternative route via Circle Drive could be used to avoid the work currently in progress.

Work is due to commence on the segment of Wyebank Rd stretching from the end of Pioneer Road to Glamis Road from the beginning of April. Work on this sector will not only see the laying of the pipeline but also improvements to the road alignment as rehabilitation takes place. Again, work will be conducted using a phased approached with detours in operation along the segments where construction is in progress.

Bright also advised motorists and pedestrians that constructions vehicles and heavy vehicles transporting large pipes from pipe yards in the Highway area would also be using roads within the vicinity of work on the pipeline.