Pier 2 access road to get major facelift

The now dilapidated main access road into the Pier 2 area of the Durban container terminal (DCT) is to be reconstructed over the next 15 months. It provides the main arterial supply for the North and East quays and other departments in DCT, daily handling 3 000 laden trucks and other vehicles in the terminal. “The road has been in existence for more than 35 years and several repairs have been done due to regular traffic of heavy loads,” said Shane Narainsamy, TPT regional manager for KZN containers (maintenance and projects). “Over the years, bad weather has also exacerbated the decline to the extent that it can no longer be maintained normally.” Along with that, the poor condition of the road has also increased the general wear and tear on equipment. A factor that has also increased the maintenance expenses at DCT, he added. Phase 1 of the reconstruction project will run from this November 23 to June 3 next year, according to Narainsamy. “It will entail the reconstruction of the current inbound lanes.” To maintain a vehicle f low, the inbound traffic will be diverted onto the current outbound lanes; while outbound traffic will be diverted onto temporary lanes created under the preparatory phase. Phase 2 is planned for 2016 and will run from June 6 to December 15. It will be the reconstruction of the current outbound lanes. Inbound traffic will return to the original, but now reconstructed, inbound lanes. Outbound traffic, meantime, will remain on the temporary outbound lanes.