(2) The upgrading on National Road N11 Section 3 from New Castle South (km 50.00) to Ncandu River (km 57.20)

Delta Built Environment Consultants (BEC) has been appointed by BVi Consulting Engineers on behalf of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) for the sub-service of managing the environmental process and monitoring environmental compliance during the construction for the upgrading of National Road N11 Section 3 from Newcastle South (km 50.00) to Ncandu River (km 57.20).
In line with the upgrading strategy for the N11, the ultimate improvement objective for this portion of the N11 route is to circumvent the town of Newcastle and, at the same time, provide freeway standards as far as is feasible and economical. This would entail the improvement of the horizontal and vertical alignment, widening to meet future demand, closure of minor accesses, grade separation of the remaining major intersections, and separation of non-motorised traffic from the roadway.
Three alternatives were considered for this project. This alternative comprises the realignment of the N11 route to create the most direct route, a two-lane overpass of Madadeni Road without access to the N11 freeway, and diamond interchanges at the intersections of Ladysmith Drive and Albert Wessels Drive. Ladysmith Drive is developed as a two-lane road, while Albert Wessels Drive is developed as a four-lane dual carriageway freeway.
Three of the existing major culverts are lengthened and one remains unchanged. The two additional major culverts are designed for positive freeboard and larger spans (two openings as opposed to three) to mitigate upstream backwater effects on the service station and in light of the risk of high debris loads.
The proposed project is aimed at providing mitigation measures against the risk of accidents without compromising mobility or accessibility along the route. Due to concerns over safety along this section of N11, it was deemed necessary that a portion be realigned to improve the current operating conditions. A section of the N11 will be realigned with the new road interchanges at Ladysmith Drive (Allen Street) and Albert Wessels Drive.
Scope of Work:
• Realignment of the N11 route to create the most direct route
• Two- lane overpass of Madadeni Road
• Diamond interchanges
o Ladysmith Drive
o Albert Wessels Drive
• 5 Major Culverts
o Three (3) major culverts are to be lengthened.
o Two (2) new additional major culverts are to be added.

The preferred option for the proposed development is Alternative 4, this alternative involves a straighter alignment and also includes two interchanges (Albert Wessels and Ladysmith Drive) and one overpass (Madadeni Drive). As far as road safety and optimal use during operation are concerned, this alternative is a preferred one.
The N11 route will be realigned to create a more direct route, a two-lane overpass of Madadeni Road will be constructed without any access to the N11 freeway, and diamond interchanges will be placed at Ladysmith Drive and Albert Wessels Drive. Ladysmith Drive is developed as a two-lane road while Albert Wessels Drive is developed as a four-lane dual carriageway freeway. In Alternative 4, road user costs are decreased, justifying the improvement in the road scheme.
From an engineering perspective, the preferred layout is considered optimal from an operational perspective due to the straighter road and therefore higher safety standards, the fact that it addresses traffic movements as well as being the most cost-effective layout option out of all the options identified. The preferred alternative is also expected to provide local economic benefits, such as provision of access to service nodes, and unlocking of new precincts for development.