Preparing for the World Cup
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport (KZN DOT) made a commitment to playing a role in preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Part of this commitment was a major project related to the new King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) as well as an undertaking to benefit the community of Verulam and those areas that surround it.
The focus of the national Department of Transport for this financial year is mainly on infrastructure, both construction and maintenance. Similarly, KwaZulu-Natal Province has built 403 access roads in needy communities and the construction of these roads has led to the building of many schools and clinics in the beneficiary communities.
The construction of access roads and bridges also enables community members to access social amenities and contacts with other communities. Access roads also create an opportunity for the establishment of public transport within a community. Taxis and buses are allowed space to operate. Overall, the costs and logistics of travelling are formalized and simplified.
The Department of Transport, along with the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), played the lead role in preparing the region’s road network for the steady stream of traffic encountered during the World Cup as well as the new flow of traffic directed towards KSIA.
The goal is that the transport systems should be able to sustain our economy long after the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is over. It is the government’s intention to ensure that investments made in transport services and infrastructure should benefit the rest of the province and the country as a whole. There are major investments across all transport systems – roads, rail, water and air – which represent the most widespread development ever seen in the country.
The underlying motivation in this is government’s commitment to ensure a safe, effective, efficient and affordable transport system for its people by 2010 and beyond. More than R3.4-billion is being spent on projects that will cater for the influx of international visitors and will also serve to promote local economic growth.
The construction and upgrading of rural roads and bridges forms a pivotal part of the province’s infrastructure development. Rural communities needed to have access to the football development areas.
eThekwini Municipality – R102 upgrade
This project comprises the upgrading of 16km of Main Road from two to four lanes between Duff’s Road to King Shaka International Airport, and 3km of Main Road from four to six lanes between Mount Edgecombe Interchange and the N2 in order to provide necessary capacity improvement and an alternative access to the airport. These existing generally two-lane arterial roads link the moderate to densely populated peri-urban areas of Mount Edgecombe, Ottawa, Verulam and Tongaat.
uMgungundlovu Football Development Area
A road upgrade on P399 between Taylors Halt and Nxamalala is key to the flow of traffic within the city and is complemented by intermodal public transport facilities, which will improve access for public transport to various destinations.
Ugu Football Development Area
In the Ugu District Municipality, various road upgrades were undertaken to prepare the communities for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. An upgrade on P68 which links Umgodi to Lushaba via St Faiths, and forms a transport corridor from High Flats to Port Shepstone, proved to be a major source of employment opportunities. The integrated public transport facilities should also improve access to all modes of public transport.
uThungulu Football Development Area
Richards Bay was to be used as a base camp during the FIFA World Cup. Projects that were prioritised include the P496 (John Ross Highway), which links to Empangeni and Richards Bay Transport Corridor, and P325 (Nongoma to Mtubatuba) on the Nongoma to N2 Transport Corridor. Other projects are the P700 (Ulundi to Empangeni) and P230/P240 (Ongoye to Mhlathuze River) on the Eshowe to Empangeni Transport Corridor.
Amajuba Football Development Area
The construction of the P296 that links Buhle-Bomzinyathi to Osizweni in the Dundee to Newcastle Transport Corridor is under way.
The projects in all district municipalities are regarded as legacy projects, as their benefits will be enjoyed for a long time. The Department of Transport is committed to using all sectors of the transportation market to maximize economic development and create jobs and opportunities for the people of KwaZulu-Natal. The department’s vision – Prosperity through mobility – is an indication that all activities of the department, and the manner in which it delivers services to communities, will increase the wealth and quality of life for all
citizens.
Contact details
Key contact person:
Willies Mchunu, MEC
Tel: +27 33 355 8760
Fax: +27 33 342 8824
Physical address: 172 Burger Street, Pietermaritzburg 3201
Postal address: Private Bag X9043, Pietermaritzburg 3200
Website: www.kzntransport.gov.za
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