Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) recently opened the newly constructed Bayhead Bypass Road, a critical route that will enable the seamless flow of road traffic to the Port of Durban
TNPA said in a statement that the road would help to alleviate truck congestion to the Durban Container Terminals.
The bypass road emerged as a response to manage the diversion of heavy motor vehicles, following flood damage to Bayhead Road last April.
The 1.6 kilometre bypass road, which will significantly reduce traffic on Bayhead Road, stretches from the Shell Service Station on Bayhead Road to the turning circle on the Ambrose Park Access Road.
The latter joins the Langberg Road intersection at the Transnet Academy's Faculty of Port Terminals and Marine.
Durban port manager, Mpumi Dweba-Kwetana, said the new road was part of the port's plan to confront the congestion challenge in the area.
"The construction and use of the bypass road forms an integral part of TNPA's efforts to decongest the Port of Durban whilst realising a seamless flow of traffic on its associated road networks and maintaining fluidity in the maritime logistics value chain," she said.
"This will ultimately assist the port in responding to industry demands and ensuring that we are delivering on Transnet's core mandate of enabling economic growth through the provision of fit-for-purpose infrastructure."
The bypass road is a unidirectional single-carriageway consisting of two lanes towards the Island View Complex and the Durban Container Terminals.
The roadway consists of four canal crossings and two level crossings with fencing and street lighting.