Officials of the Stellenbosch Municipality and the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DOI) headed to the streets on Wednesday (8 October) to officially open the upgraded Baden Powell Drive (MR168/ R310) in Stellenbosch.
The project saw an upgrade of a 4.7km stretch of Baden Powell Drive outside of town to a dual carriageway between the N2 and Annandale Road at Lynedoch. The road was officially opened by provincial minister of infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers.
The upgrade of R331 million included realigning the Van Rhyn access road (OP5205) to join the MR168; rebuilding a section of Vlottenberg Road (DR1065) and building an access road to Vlottenberg train station to join the MR168. Sections of the roads and the intersection of the MR168 and the Stellenbosch Arterial (Polkadraai Road) were widened, and the realigning of the Vlottenberg Farm and Vredenheim Farm slip road at this location was done. The watermains running along MR168 were replaced; bridges widened; underpasses were built and new guardrails, walkways and concrete kerbs were among the upgrades.
“THE MR168 carries a significant volume of traffic, and the completion of this project means that the entire length of Baden Powell Drive between the Stellenbosch Arterial Road, specifically the section known as Polkadraai Road, and the N2 is now a dual carriageway,” said Simmers.
“The MR168 now has more capacity to carry traffic, is significantly safer and more comfortable to drive on, and its resilience against severe weather events has been boosted. An interesting feature of the project is that existing pavement layers were broken up and reused in the rehabilitation of the existing carriageway.”
The project created 264 short-term work opportunities and 50 941 person-days of work.
R117 million was spent on procuring goods and services from targeted enterprises, and R4.8 million was spent on procurement from local enterprises.
“Ten contracts worth a total of R15 million were issued to emerging contractors,” Simmers said.
“Like with most, if not all large transport infrastructure projects, there was inconvenience to road users during the construction period, but I know that the long-term benefit will outweigh the short-term inconvenience. I believe that this investment will assist with generating more economic activity to the area which will grow the local economy and create even more sustainable jobs in future.”
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