The upgrade of Vusi Mzimela (formerly Bellair) Road is underway. This is phase four of a massive road upgrade project which started in May last year and is expected to be completed in May next year.

THE upgrade of Vusi Mzimela (formerly Bellair) Road is underway. This is phase four of a massive road upgrade project which started in May last year is expected to be completed by May next year. This main road runs through
Cato Manor and also serves to connect several large residential areas including Queensburgh, Yellowwood Park, Chatsworth, Springfield, Sydenham, Sparks and Westridge. 

The project transverses two wards namely ward 29 and ward 101. It is part of the Metropolitan route (M10), which runs from the Stella Road/Old Main Road intersection in Queensburgh, Stella Road, Sarnia Road, Wakesleigh Road, Brickfield Road and Alpine Road, ending at the Alpine Road/Umgeni Road intersection. 

Project Engineer Vuyo Adoons said many residents use this route to travel to work, with the majority of traffic flowing into central areas of Durban. The University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Inkosi AlbertLuthuli Hospital are in the vicinity and also contribute to the large volume of traffic experienced in the area. The completion of the road will help to ease traffic congestion in the area, said Adoons. Motorist Mandla Mdletshe said: “This is a busy main road in the vicinity. 

The traffic congestion is unbearable, especially in the mornings and afternoons. I am glad about the upgrade of the road as it will help ease traffic congestion and minimise travelling time,” said Mdletshe. The initial scope of the
project was to complete a full upgrade of Vusi Mzimela Road. This would have included the construction of an arterial road providing one of the main north-south transport routes linking Jan Smuts Highway with the west-east transport axis of Booth Road/Francois Road and extending to Edwin Swales Drive Phase 4 of this contract comprises the upgrading of approximately 2 200m of the existing Vusi Mzimela (Bellair) Road, between the Solomon Mahlangu (Edwin Swales) intersection and the Rick Turner (Franscois) Road intersection from a single carriageway road to a dual carriage way.

All intersecting minor roads will be accordingly upgraded in order to tie into the proposed new upgraded road. The existing road will be widened predominantly on the western side between the Solomon Mahlangu (Edwin Swales) intersection and the Hazelbank Road intersection at the Albert Luthuli Hospital, thereafter the widening will occur
predominantly on the eastern side travelling further north towards the Rick Turner Road intersection.