Umgeni Interchange

South African National Roads Agency | South Africa | 2009–2015

2015 
Fulton Award Winner

1.06 km
of bridges and ramps

1 million hours
with no lost time incidents on two separate instances

 Commendation
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering

Challenges

  • Critical levels of traffic congestion were occurring at the interchange between the M19/uMgeni Road and the N2 highway in Durban.
  • To provide the necessary capacity, the interchange was upgraded to a multi-level systems interchange.
  • Area where the interchange is located is on riverside terrain, which posed topographical constraints for the design.
  • Various accesses and local streets required realignment to accommodate the upgraded interchanges.

Solutions

  • We performed a detailed traffic analysis and 3D site modeling to design a free-flow interchange that would meet forecasted traffic conditions.
  • We were then tasked with carrying out the detailed design of all necessary service relocations, roadworks, and structures.
  • Determined the most cost-effective bridge solution for each structure with structural types, including staged cast in-situ box girders, incrementally launched box girders and precast beam and slab bridges.

Highlights

  • Hatch received an award from the Master Builders Association for the Designer with the Best Commitment to Occupational Health and Safety.
  • The new interchange will operate at a vastly improved service level providing a positive impact on the thousands of commuters who pass through daily.

Project numbers

R460 million capital cost
1 million hours with no lost-time injuries on two occasions

What's your challenge?