GEORGE NEWS - The N2 is not to be widened at Dolphin's Point as has been rumoured after the property at 2 George Road, on the cliff to the west of the outlook point, was sold.
George Herald recently reported that the owner of the Dolphin's Point property, Wim de Beer, has finally sold it after it has been in his family since 1960.
He sold to the South African National Road Agency (Sanral) and the newspaper approached the agency regarding its future plans with the property after hearing that it was to widen that portion of road.
However, Sanral's Western manager, Randall Cable, said this is not the case. The acquisition of the property was "a design consideration".
He said De Beer had wanted to sell the property for development and at the time asked Sanral to confirm the access to the property. This would have increased traffic movement into and out of the property. "Sanral did not agree to his request," said Cable.
It is the only access to the property and is directly onto the N2. "It is in an undesirable position where there are four lanes with no overtaking allowed between the centre lanes."
He said closing the access would reduce the number of accesses and eliminate all right turn manoeuvres on the N2 as far as possible to improve mobility and safety.
He said the upgrading project of the portion of the N2 between the Kraaibosch interchange and Die Vleie intersection was originally considered to be improved under a single contract, but was subsequently divided into two separate projects with the dividing point being the Touw River.
"The majority of the widening will take place between the Touw River and Die Vleie intersection, to provide two lanes in each direction and roundabouts to enhance the traffic flow and essentially eliminate conventional right-turn movements in the face of oncoming traffic."
The contract for the improvement of the N2 between the Kraaibosch interchange and the Touw River was awarded to Martin and East on 21 July this year.
"The contractor has since been undertaking the required mobilisation activities, which need to be completed before construction can commence. The mobilisation period finishes at the end of November.
"However, visible construction activities will start ramping up from January 2024. Apart from the work on the road itself, improvements will take place at Kaaimansgat intersection, where some widening will take place; Victoria Bay intersection where a new roundabout will be built with a new service road, as well as a new roundabout in Wilderness," said Cable.
Road repair work being undertaken at present is done by the routine road maintenance contractor, which is an unrelated contract aimed at keeping the road safe and free of potholes.
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