Major roadworks have already started on one of the main (and most complicated) arteries into and out of the city, the N2/Settlers Freeway at Hospital Bend.

The upgrade, which entails altering the existing road carriages to increase capacity for both public and private transport, has been on the cards for the last 10 years, but was continually put off due to funding and other constraints. It is now part of the N2 corridor upgrade, forming the final part of the N2 airport to city link (identified as a 2010 priority infrastructure project by the City of Cape Town).

The famous bend, sandwiched between Groote Schuur Hospital and Table Mountain National Park, is a nightmare for drivers who have to cross numerous lanes in order to get into the right lane, causing bottlenecks on both the N2 and M3 routes, and also compromising the safety of motorists during peak periods.

After the upgrade, the weaving between lanes will be reduced due to the introduction of pre-selection lanes, which will allow drivers to select their lanes before reaching Hospital Bend from either direction.

This will increase the capacity of the interchange and also make the road safer.
 

What changes will be made?

(Click here to view full image of the plan)

• Two new bridge structures will be built
• The existing bridge over the N2 will be widened
• Roads will be widened, realigned and resurfaced
• Upgraded overhead signs gantries and ground-mounted signs
• New street lighting
• Hard and soft landscaping
  

What about road closures?

It is a condition of the contract that at least two lanes of traffic must be maintained in each direction for the duration of the project. This will lessen the disruption of traffic flow and consequent inconvenience to motorists.
No deliveries on the construction site are permitted during peak periods.

Unavoidable lane restrictions will be restricted to night time and over certain weekends. These restrictions will be widely advertised and signposted, and there will be diversion routes in place.

Budget and timing

The R235-million project is expected to last 25 months, for completion in March 2010.

Alternative routes

• Main Road
• The Simon’s Town-Cape Town train line
• Car-pooling
• Bus or taxi services

Images: Construction progress
(Click on image to view larger image)
 

March 2010	March 2010
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2 November 2009	2 November 2009	2 November 2009	2 November 2009
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26 May 2009	26 May 2009	26 May 2009	26 May 2009
26 May 2009	26 May 2009	1 April 2009	1 April 2009
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24 Feb 2009	24 Feb 2009	20 Feb 2009	23 Jan 2009
18 Dec 2008	18 Dec 2008	18 Dec 2008	18 Dec 2008
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Click here to view more images of the construction progress.