Roads & Transport

Ensuring residents keep moving forward

EThekwini aims to deliver 10-15 km of road per annum in dealing with the overall road backlog of around a thousand kilometres within the municipal area. The metro will take between 70-105 years to address backlogs based on current funding levels, so engagement with the KwaZuluNatal Department of Transport is vital in resolving this issue, to ensure alignment and support.

Over the past five years, ETA has fulfilled its directive through various projects, including but not limited to the implementation of the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN) known as GO!Durban, strategic and integrated road safety programmes, and innovative transport solutions.

With most eThekwini residents using public transport daily, ETA has invested in building better and advanced public transport systems. GO!Durban is one of the City’s biggest catalytic projects. The focus has been building a safe, efficient, and The eThekwini Transport Authority (ETA) Unit’s mandate is to provide and manage a worldclass transport system with a public transport focus. ETA also aims to provide high levels of mobility and accessibility for the movement of people and goods in a safe, sustainable and affordable manner. To this end, it has invested billions in transport infrastructure.

engagements with affected communities, it was made clear that creating job opportunities was always at the forefront. During Phase 1 of the project, 22 500 jobs were created. PPP successes Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have also borne fruit. The successful completion of the Bhejane Interchange and C9 Cornubia Bridge affordable are an indication of what can be public transport system achieved by fostering PPP while improving relations. These bridges sustainable livelihoods. act as key connectors

ETA has invested to economic hubs and over R2 billion in job opportunities for public transport communities. The infrastructure City acknowledges development in the the remarkable first phase, with over team of engineers R600 million awarded who received an to subcontractors from award for the Bhejane local communities. During Interchange project.

The City is ensuring that its commuters are always connected as People Mover bus commuters can now enjoy free on-board Wi-Fi as the City tests internet provision for GO!Durban.

Transport goals One of the goals for transport in eThekwini, among others, is to implement an effective, efficient, sustainable and safe public transport system. In order to realise the objective of creating a sustainable public transport system, it will be necessary in a number of areas to prioritise public transport upgrades and budget allocations at the expense of car users. It is in this context of developing a truly sustainable solution that pedestrians and non-motorised transport, together with public transport, need to be given priority over private transport in very scarce and restrictive corridor and routes.

ETA’s overarching Integrated Public Transport Network plan for the entire eThekwini Municipal area is a ‘wall to wall’ framework that defines the

Anton Lembede Street construction

The construction under way in Anton Lembede Street over the past year is nearing completion. The construction consists of two projects being undertaken as part of the Inner-City Regeneration Strategy.

The first project is the replacement of the water main in Mahatma Gandhi Road and Anton Lembede Street. This project is a response to the dilapidated infrastructure that required upgrading to cater for future growth of the inner city and the Point Precinct.

The second project entails public realm upgrades intended to improve pedestrian connectivity and the urban environment along portions of the water main upgrade. This is to ensure that the total experience by the end-user is enhanced and is aligned with the Inner-City Regeneration Strategy. The new and improved public realm will have a positive impact on beautifying portions of the urban zone of Anton Lembede Street, boost investment in the City, and improve the overall experience for stakeholders. The public realm upgrade work includes new paving for the extended sidewalk, new traffic bollards, street furniture, informal trader kiosks – which includes seating areas – and a Metro Police satellite station. They are located close to existing bus stops.

The clusters will be built off-site and positioned and fixed on-site to minimise disruption to the public. The pipe installation is expected to be completed by mid-December, while the public realm upgrade is expected to be completed by March 2022. The public is urged to be patient while construction is ongoing and find alternative travelling routes if possible. This will assist to minimise traffic congestion, especially during peak hours.

ultimate public transport network for the municipality.

A key aspect of transport is, of course safety. ETA has implemented a programme that seek to address the issues of being safe while travelling – including both road and pedestrian safety. The project focuses on integrating and coordinating road safety education, enforcement and engineering measures. In FY 2020/21, the following three initiatives led by the City were set under way: • the introduction of traffic calming measures • the implementation of engineering improvements at high-frequency accident locations • the assessment of hazardous locations on an annual basis and dealing with these as necessary.

Almost a decade of health and safety wins for AECI Much Asphalt

The winning team at AECI Much Asphalt Coedmore

A tribute to years of consistent health and safety achievements

Bringing home the trophy through continuous improvementA ECI Much Asphalt’s Coedmore branch has again excelled in the Manufacturers category of the 2021 MBSA Health and Safety Competition, with first place in the KwaZulu-Natal Regional Competition and third place in the National MBSA Competition.

AECI Much Asphalt Coedmore has a proud record of consistently winning the Regional Master Builders South Africa Competition every year since 2013. Entries scoring more than 90% in the regional competition are entered into the nationals.

Shivanie Rambaran, regional officer: SHEQ at AECI Much Asphalt, participated in the successful competition audit this year. She has been with the company for four years and has grown from strength to strength to become a positive asset to the team. Working with Shivanie to ensure continuous compliance are plant supervisors Patrick Blanka Mambane in Maintenance, Roland Gopichand in Production, and Simphiwe Hokomane in Quality Assurance and Laboratory, as well as branch manager Trevor Thompson. “We work in a dangerous environment and the safety of our people will always be our top priority,” says Shivanie. She asserts that continuous improvement is the secret of the Coedmore plant’s success. “Compliance is the endgame for most, but the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the little extra. In keeping with our Zero Harm culture, the aim is to exceed compliance, and this requires continuous improvement. “Over the years, the KZN team has rallied together to maintain a positive attitude, work diligently, remain focused and, most importantly, learn from past mistakes. These key ingredients have allowed us not only to identify pressing issues, but also to find and correct the root causes.”

ACCOUNTABLE FOR QUALITY

AECI Much Asphalt, incorporating AECI SprayPave, is southern Africa’s largest manufacturer of bituminous products.

We don’t just promise quality. We hold ourselves accountable for it. Process control laboratories at every plant and on site continually monitor and test our processes and products. Our customers can rest assured they are placing and compacting quality asphalt.

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