GEORGE NEWS - Commuters who travel between Pacaltsdorp and the rest of George will finally be rid of the ultra-heavy peak hour traffic once the Beach Road bridge crossing the N2 is widened.

The bridge is the only access point to and from Pacaltsdorp.

The Executive Mayor of the George Municipality, Charles Standers announced that after many years of preliminary work done by the City Council to acquire the necessary approvals and funding, this project is reaching the stage of implementation.

"The project consists of the widening of the N2 York Street / Beach Road bridge to increase vehicle capacity from Pacaltsdorp to areas north of the N2 freeway. This improvement to the road network will result in a major improvement in traffic flow on an important route into the George CBD," Standers said.

He explained that SANRAL agreed to fund 50% of all work needed within the N2 road reserve, including the proposed pedestrian bridge. A funding agreement between SANRAL and the George Municipality confirming this commitment has already been signed by the two parties. The Provincial Department of Transport and Public Works has also agreed to fund a portion of the project cost, with the funding already provided on the Province's 2012/13 and 2013/14 budget.

The total cost of this project is estimated at R69-million of which the George Municipality will contribute R6,9-million and the rest by the other mentioned authorities (SANRAL R34,5-million and the Province R27,6-million). The implementation of this project is planned for early in the municipality's 2012/13 financial year.

Standers said that the widening of the bridge will also assure the safety of pedestrians that use the bridge.

* Die Yorkstraat-brug oor die N2-snelweg sal binnekort breër gemaak word om verkeersvloei te verbeter.


This is a typical peak hour scene in the morning as traffic from Pacaltsdorp builds up towards the bridge over the N2. Photo: Lizette Da Silva

ARTICLE: CHRISTO VERMAAK, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST