The Colleen Dardagan KWAZULU-NATAL property development company, Tongaat Hulett, and the eThekwini Municipality have announced a R280-million interchange to link the Cornubia development and the Umhlanga precinct.

The multibillion-rand Cornubia development has been declared a national priority project. When it is completed, it will include 10 000 affordable residential units, 15 000 subsidized units, and 2.5 million square metres of commercial and industrial property. Thami Manyathi, the head of the city’s transport authority said the bridge and interchange off the N2 highway would be built where the extension of Umhlanga Ridge Boulevard crosses the freeway, alongside the existing Porsche dealership.

Work on the project will start next month, and is scheduled to be completed in January 2017. Manyathi said the interchange was integral to the city’s proposed rapid public transport system dubbed GO!Durban. He said R346 million was earmarked for roads, bridges, interchanges, sewer, water and electrical infrastructure already under way for the public transport system. Iain Burns, from Investec Properties, said the development would improve access and add to the attractiveness of the Cornubia Shopping Centre.

The new route is expected to alleviate the traffic congestion on the M41. Karen Pietersen, the development director of Tongaat Hulett Development, said the group expected to release the last available business precinct in the area to the market soon.

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As part of an ongoing endeavour to engage with public transport drivers in the eThekwini Municipality, the eThekwini Transport Authority held a Public Transport Drivers’ summit.

“This was an opportunity for us all to begin having meaningful conversations about the future of transport in the city.” says His Worship the Mayor, Cllr James Nxumalo. “This summit marks the first in many gatherings we as a municipality need to have with this sector which employs literally thousands of people across the city.  Transport as we see it, provides the secret to the economic success of the city and it also provides the tangible aim for our vision of making this Africa’s most liveable and caring city by 2030.”

“The objective of the summit was to create a platform for discussing a range of issues, which affect public transport drivers.” explains the Mayor. “Some of these issues include the implementation of the sectoral determination (basic conditions of employment) for the industry particularly the minibus taxi industry;  the improvement of customer care and the promotion of professional conduct by public transport drivers, the skill requirements for the  new integrated rapid public transport network environment and future subsidized service contracts, on-going consultation and information sharing about planned changes, and new developments in public transport in the City, and very importantly the ongoing challenge of road safety.”

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As part of GO!Durban’s programme to provide citizens along the first route of the new integrated rapid public transport network from KwaMashu to Pinetown with up-to-date information,  two special community meetings will take place in Ward 18 at the Pinetown Civic Hall, 60 Kings Road, Pinetown on Wednesday, August 26 at 6.30pm – 8pm, and in Ward 46, at the Nkanyisweni Community Hall, F1518 Mgobozo Road, F KwaMashu on Sunday 30 August from 10am to 1pm.

Community members and businesses from Ward 18 and 46 are invited to attend these engagements, which will include presentations and explanations about the project, its progress, and the benefits of developing the new public transport network for all within the eThekwini Municipality.

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As part of GO!Durban’s programme to provide citizens along the first route of the new integrated rapid public transport network from KwaMashu to Pinetown with up-to-date information, a special community meeting will take place Ntuzuma Community Hall, 2049 Mdubu Road in Ntuzuma on Sunday, August 16  from 10am – 12noon.

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This year, GO!Durban, the eThekwini Municipality’s new integrated rapid public transport network, which is currently under construction, will present visitors at the Sustainable Living Expo, with an opportunity to experience the world’s first Foot Fuelling Station.

The fuelling station, is a place where the avid walkers and riders of Durban’s streets can go to fuel their feet. Here visitors will be able to enjoy foot rubs, reflexology, shoe shining and cleaning, and an opportunity to refresh themselves while imbibing in the exciting information about the City’s vision for public transport in GO!Durban and how it adds to creating a more liveable, caring and sustainable environment for all.

Durban citizens are invited to “fuel their feet” as a forward looking theme that aims for a time when people rely more on their feet as a mode of transportation encouraged by the holistic approach of GO!Durban, and find out more about this exciting project at the GO!Durban stand at eThekwini Municipality’s Sustainable Living Expo, which showcases the myriad ways in which we as citizens can work together towards a more sustainable future.

The Expo takes place at the Durban Exhibition Centre from Friday, August 14 to Sunday, August 16 from 9am to 5pm. Entrance is free and all are welcome.

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As part of GO!Durban’s programme to provide citizens along the first route of the new integrated rapid public transport network from KwaMashu to Pinetown with up-to-date information,  special community meetings will take place Clermont Community Hall, 1106 Zazi Road in Clermont on Saturday, August 8 from 10am – 12noon and at L KwaMashu Community Hall, 75 Sibisi Road
, KwaMashu on Wednesday, August 12 from 12noon to 4pm.

Community members and businesses from Ward 21 and Ward 47 are invited to attend these engagements which will include presentations and explanations about the project, its progress, and the benefits of developing the new public transport network for all within the eThekwini Municipality.

GO!Durban will also have facilities available for individuals and businesses from these two community to register on the Employment Database. Registration requires that the following documents are provided: identity document, proof of qualifications (if a qualification has been obtained) and proof of relevant skills – for example, driver’s license, or reference. Local businesses/contractors should bring their documentation (proof of registration/ tax declaration etc).

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The construction of GO!Durban, the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN) through New Germany, the initiative by the eThekwini Municipality to provide a public transport system for the citizens of Durban, is advancing well.

Part of the construction of this IRPTN requires the widening of Qashana Khuzwayo Road (formerly Shepstone Road), and the construction of a bus lane and station with a side walk. The widened road will be located close to an existing fig tree on the corner of Regent Street and Qashana Khuzwayo Road. This Natal Fig tree, with its aesthetic value, is a landmark tree that has been present in its current location for well over 60 years. It is a prominent feature to the area and well appreciated by local residents and business people.

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