Plans for second tunnel revealed
2008-09-11
RESIDENTS of the Paarl Valley can prepare themselves for the approval of a toll road on the N1, judging by fact that the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) is preparing to upgrade the Huguenot Tunnel’s second bore for use at a cost of R1,2 billion. Although no official announcement has been made that the N1 between Paarl and Cape Town will be tolled, previous statements by Sanral have indicated that the funding for the second tunnel will be obtained by toll fees. A basic assessment report on the impact of the construction of the access roads to the second tunnel, including a new bridge over the Eland’s River, is now available for review. The project will allow for a dual tunnel system with two unidirectional traffic lanes each to improve the traffic flow on the N1. Construction is likely to start in 2010 as part of the tolling of the N1. The second (northern) tunnel was constructed along with the first tunnel in the 1980s, but formal access roads were not built and the tunnel has not been lined and finished. Increased traffic has now forced the authorities to consider finishing the project, which will increase safety and reduce the impact of an accident or fire as the two tunnels will be linked with escape doors. The two lanes per tunnel also make it easier to close lanes or a tunnel for maintenance work. The new tunnel will be redesigned to allow fresh air ventilation, so that the level of vehicle exhaust emissions can be kept within international safety and health standards. Once the second tunnel has been completed, the ventilation and evacuation systems of the old tunnel will also be upgraded. Each tunnel will have its own independent power supply to ensure problems in the one tunnel do not affect the other. According to CCA Environmental, which has prepared the draft basis assessment report for the Department of Environmental Affairs, the upgrade is required, as the continued rise in traffic volumes through the tunnel will affect safety. Excessive vehicle emissions affect the maintenance of the tunnel and the quality of the air. A basic assessment report on the impact of the proposal is currently available for review at the Paarl public library or on the website www.ccaenvironmental.co.za. To register as an interested and affected party, or to comment, contact CCA Environmental at PO Box 10145, Caledon Square, Cape Town, 7905, or ena@ccaenvironmental.co.za by 8 October. Comments will be submitted to the Department of Environmental Affairs. No public meetings on the tunnel upgrading are planned, since the activity entails improvements to an existing section of the national road network on land that is already part of the road reserve, says CCA. The Western Cape Minister of Transport, Koleka Mqulwana, said in the legislature recently that the provincial government supports tolling of the N1 and N2 with certain conditions, due to the cost of maintenance.
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