Work starts on R690m Koeberg Interchange
Published in the Cape Argus on 8 May 2008

The provincial Department of Transport has urged motorists to be patient as it embarks on its "biggest" road construction project, the Koeberg Interchange upgrade.

The R690 million upgrade began on schedule yesterday and is to continue beyond the 2010 World Cup.

Intended to relieve traffic congestion on major roads such as the M5 and N1, the bulk of the work it is due to be completed before the tournament, with the rest - such as street lighting - by 2011.

The contractors who won the tender, a joint venture between civil engineering companies Group Five and Power Construction, have promised minimum traffic disruption, with most work being done at night. There are to be no lane reductions in peak traffic.

The two-year project includes the widening of the M5 viaduct; adding more lanes to the N1 and M5 carriageways; and the rehabilitation of Table Bay Boulevard on and off ramps at the Koeberg Interchange.

The Salt River canal is to be realigned.

Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works head Thami Manyathi said some of the roadworks would have to be done in the daytime on week days, when there might be limited traffic delays.

"We want to apologise for inconveniences. We urge motorists to be patient and extra cautious," he said."

Manyathi said the contract included targets to benefit the historically disadvantaged, such as benefits for subcontractors amounting to R100m.