Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has announced that the construction of the new Bayhead bypass road at Durban Port has almost been completed.
Construction of the road emerged as an emergency road infrastructure intervention to divert trucks from Bayhead Road, which was severely damaged during the deadly floods in April. The development of the bypass road is part of a plan implemented by the port’s decongestion task team.
TNPA said two asphalt layers had already been completed and the paving of the third asphalt layer was under way. The new unidirectional single carriageway, consisting of two lanes toward Island View and the Durban Container Terminals, is approximately 1.6km long.
“The construction of the bypass road is one of the interventions by the Port of Durban to decongest the Port. The teams continue to work tirelessly to mitigate the issues of congestion while maintaining an efficient Port system,” said Malefetsane Setaka, Durban Port Engineer.
The road starts at the Shell service station on Bayhead Road and ends at the turning circle on the existing Ambrose Park access road, which joins the Langberg Road intersection at the Transnet Academy’s Maritime and Port Terminals (previously known as the Maritime School of Excellence).
TNPA said the project was expected to be completed by mid-December, just in time for the Christmas break.
“The Bayhead bypass road has been one of the projects that have cemented our commitment to ensuring fluidity in our port, ultimately responding to the demands of our industry. Not only this, through this construction, the teams have demonstrated agility and resilience during times of crisis and various industry players have shared these sentiments,” Setaka said.
The roadway consists of four canal crossings and two level crossings. Fencing and streetlighting have also been included as part of the project.
