The Port of Cape Town’s Interim Truck Staging Area (Itsa), located alongside Duncan Road, is now fully operational following the completion of Phase 2 of the project.
The facility is intended to serve as an “overflow” waiting area in instances where the operational terminals have reached full capacity and can no longer allow the entry of trucks.
According to Roxanne Smith, Itsa project manager, the truck staging area was designed to alleviate heavy vehicle truck congestion on the roads leading to the Cape Town Container Terminal (CTCT).
Phase 1 of the project was operationalised in July 2022 and proved its worth as heavy vehicle traffic flows to the Cape Town Multipurpose Terminal (CTMPT) Precinct improved significantly. “Phase 1 had the capacity to stage 28 trucks and has seen the diversion of idle trucks off Duncan Road, thus increasing road safety and allowing for all port users to enjoy free traffic flow,” said Smith.
The second phase was completed in December and has now been operationalised. It has been designed to stage 37 trucks. The Itsa now has the capacity to stage 65 trucks in total.
“Phase 1 of the project has seen significant improvement in the flow of traffic to the CTMPT, and we are encouraged by the positive responses from the beneficiaries of the project. The completion of Phase 2 will further assist us in the diversion of idle trucks off Duncan Road, thus increasing road safety and allowing for all port users to enjoy free traffic flow,” said Smith.
The Itsa addresses the immediate mitigation of truck congestion, while the Transnet National Ports Authority Port of Cape Town pursues the possibility of a permanent truck staging facility in the Port Industrial Park.
The permanent truck staging facility, which forms part of the CTCT Phase 2B Project, is scheduled for completion in the 2024/25 financial year. This will substantially improve the flow of trucks in and out of the port and address the increase in heavy vehicle traffic in recent years.
* Since this story was posted yesterday and went out this morning as a "mailer" to our subscribers, it has been brought to our attention that the staging area is not helping to alleviate congestion. Quite the opposite in fact. Many transporters complained this morning of congestion that is now worse than it was before, creating an intolerable situation that is heavily affecting throughput at the port. Freight News is currently working on updates with regard to the situation at the Port of Cape Town.
