Roadworks on Sandown Road and Malibongwe Drive up to the Potsdam interchange are scheduled to be completed by July 2020, if all goes as planned, according to the City of Cape Town.
The City, in partnership with Milnerton Estates and Garden Cities developers, started dualling the roads nearly a year ago.
Milnerton Estates is funding the bulk of the costs for the construction for the dualling of Sandown Road and Malibongwe Drive, as well as the upgrade of the Potsdam interchange.
Garden Cities carries most of the costs for dualling of Sandown Road from Sunningdale Drive to Parklands Main Road.
The City is contributing about R66 million to the project, and the Western Cape government is involved in the implementation of the loop ramp onto the N7.
The City gave a progress report on work complete thus far.
Dualling of Sandown Road from Sunningdale Drive to Malibongwe Drive (M12): The road layer-works and kerbs installation on this section have commenced. The side roads – being Braselton Road, Whitehall Way, Passerina Road and Wood Drive – will be closed for longer periods in the near future to facilitate the construction of the new intersections.
Construction of a bridge over the existing railway line: The erection of the bridge superstructure is nearing completion, and the bridge deck is in the process of being completed.
Dualling of Malibongwe Drive (M12) from Sandown Road to the N7/M12 interchange: The work on Malibonge Drive is “progressing well”, according to the City, although the contractor experienced delays as a result of the protest action. The culvert crossings have been completed and the kerbs are being laid between Parklands Main Road and Potsdam Road. The layer-work to the slip lanes from Potsdam Road onto the N7 Bridge is being constructed.
Upgrade of the N7/Malibongwe Drive (M12) Potsdam interchange with a loop on-ramp in the north-eastern quadrant: The construction of the loop ramp has commenced.
Relocation of a sewer pipeline and water main: The relocation of the underground services between Sandown Road and Parklands Main Road is “progressing well” and “minor traffic disruptions” were experienced to date. The last section of the sewer pipeline crossing Sandown Road at Sunningdale Drive is being installed by pipe-jacking to ensure that traffic disruptions are minimised.
Mayco member for transport Felicity Purchase said the project, once complete, would help to ease congestion in the worst affected parts of Cape Town.
“The traffic flow along Sandown Road will also improve,” she said.