Developers have spent millions to improve roads around new mall

With reference to "New mall road infrastructure will be inadequate" (The Mercury July 15). When the Westwood Mall project commenced, and as part of the initial planning phase, the developers embarked on a scientifically planned road network upgrade now under way and due for completion at end of this month.

Traffic consultants were appointed and, utilising sophisticated technology traffic volume prediction was simulated to target a predetermined service level without the imposition of a budgetary constraint, as specified and approved by the eThekwini traffic authorities in accordance with national traffic design standards.

The developers have since invested more than R12 million to improve the surrounding road network, which includes geometrically reconfiguring the lanes, widening the lanes under the bridge to five, the creation of a new off-ramp from the Pinetown side of the M13 and remarking the M13 off-ramp from the Durban side. The road surface will also receive an overlay.

It is in the interest of the developers to create efficient traffic flow and, considering surrounding entities, a guarantee cannot be given that there will never be congestion or that the "e;single lane will never be able to handle the peak traffic". it is clear that the developers followed due process and spared no expense in improving the road network to benefit the greater vicinity.

Consideration should also be given to factors such as that university office and residential traffic will be at different peak times and that not all departing motorists will utilise the on-ramp to Durban. The priority will be to keep the traffic flowing smoothly The developers, together with the traffic engineers, will monitor the situation when the mall opens on September 25, to establish whether additional measures should be taken.