With a project value of R104 million, the national route along the N2, section 16 from Km16.6 to Km 27.4, as well as the Gonubie and Brakfontein
interchanges is currently being rehabilitated. This section of road lies in both the Amathole District and Buffalo City municipalities.

Allowing for the efficient flow of traffic

Commissioned by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), once complete, this section of road under rehabilitation will be able to better accommodate traffic flow, and includes rehabilitation and capacity improvements at the N2: Gonubie Main Road Interchange at km 20; and rehabilitation of the N2: Brakfontein Interchange at km 26.5. The project consists mainly of two sections:
Km 16.6 to km 19.6: This section including the N2: Beacon Bay Interchange (that has three ramps), will be patched and resealed with a 19/6.7 double seal.

Km 19.6 to km 27.4: This section, including the N2: Gonubie Main Road Interchange and the N2: Brakfontein Interchange will be rehabilitated. The interchanges including all ramps and cross roads (Gonubie Main Road and the R102) within the SANRAL road reserve, will also be rehabilitated. This section shall be surfaced with a 19mm cape seal.

Proposed roadworks
The dual carriageway stretches up to km 22.0 and thereafter becomes a single carriageway for the remainder of the project up to km 27.4. An auxiliary lane, of approximately 2.6km long, will be constructed between km 24 and km 26.6 on the single carriageway.

The N2: Gonubie Main Road Interchange will require a capacity upgrade within the limits of the SANRAL road reserve. An additional lane will be added on the northbound off-ramp, and the Gonubie Main Road will be widened on both sides to allow for an additional lane. An additional lane will also be added to the southbound on-ramp. The route covers rolling terrain with no gradients greater than 7%. The only section of the road where a stop/go section will be allowed is between km 22 and km 25 – the remainder of road shall be kept open for two-way traffic.

The structural scope of works on the project includes:

Culverts – at km 24.96, a 2.65 x 2.45m major box culvert is to be extended by approximately 10m to accommodate the widened fill. Nine new pipe culverts will be laid and two Armco culverts will be sleeved and grouted.
Bridges – all road levels are to tie in with the various bridge decks as indicated on the relevant construction drawings.
Construction on the project commenced in October 2011 and is set for completion in March 2013.

PROJECT TEAM
Client SANRAL SOC Ltd
Civil engineer Gibb (Pty) Ltd
Contractor Haw and Inglis Civil Engineering (Pty) Ltd