The project’s main purpose is to divert the N1 traffic around the town of Musina
A portion of the route passes through the former Musina waste and copper mine. SANRAL was forced to make cuts. To make room for the road, a tunnel was dug 18 meters down into the former copper mine site. The side of the road was covered with hessian cloth to keep rocks and sand from washing away. We are going to plant seed grass, which will gradually cover the entire space. According to Hennie Kotze, SANRAL Project Engineer
Musina is a tourism hub and perfectly located for cross-border trade, especially with Zimbabwe. Traffic congestion had always been a problem in the area, with over 1,000 heavy-duty trucks and vehicles passing through Musina CBD everyday.
Heavy vehicles added to the traffic congestion in town, while also creating conflict with local traffic and pedestrians.
The R640 million project entailed construction of about 8km of brand-new single-carriageway freeway, with one lane in each direction and paved shoulders, forming a ring road around the CBD. Motorists who wish to access Musina may now do so from the N1 at the Nancefield and Musina interchanges, on the northern and southern sides of the town, respectively. By easing congestion between Musina and the Beitbridge border post, the ring road has transformed road transit between South Africa and neighbouring countries.
The new road cuts down on travel time and saves Musina and its residents from the constant onslaught of heavy-duty trucks. It also allows for fuel savings and contributes to improved mobility and the safe movement of goods, services and people in and around the town. There is also scope for future expansion should traffic volumes increase.
