Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has officially opened the newly constructed Bayhead Bypass Road on April 3rd, 2023.
The bypass road, stretching 1.6km, is designed to allow for a smooth flow of traffic to the Port of Durban and alleviate truck congestion to the Durban Container Terminals.
The need for a bypass road arose due to the heavy damage caused by floods to Bayhead Road in April 2022. As a result, the diversion of heavy motor vehicles became necessary.
The bypass road, which runs from the Shell Service Station on Bayhead Road to the turning circle on the Ambrose Park Access Road, joins the Langberg Road intersection at the Transnet Academy’s Faculty of Port Terminals and Marine.
Read | New bypass road will ease truck congestion at Durban’s port says Transnet
It is expected to significantly reduce traffic on Bayhead Road which was also affecting residents from the nearby surburbs such as Bluff.
“The construction and use of the bypass road forms an integral part of TNPA’s efforts to decongest the Port of Durban whilst realizing a seamless flow of traffic on its associated road networks and maintaining fluidity in the maritime logistics value chain. This will ultimately assist the port in responding to industry demands and ensuring that we are delivering on Transnet’s core mandate of enabling economic growth through the provision of fit-for-purpose infrastructure,” said Mpumi Dweba–Kwetana, Port Manager at the Port of Durban.
The Bayhead Bypass Road is a uni-directional single carriageway consisting of two lanes towards the Island View Complex and the Durban Container Terminals.
The roadway is designed with four canal crossings and two level crossings, complete with fencing and street lighting.
The opening of the Bayhead Bypass Road marks a significant milestone in the South African trucking industry, providing a smoother flow of traffic and contributing to the continued growth of the country’s economy.
