This was according to statistics received from project coordinator and road engineer, Mr. Riaan Landman, who works for one of the engineering companies assigned to complete this multi-million rand project in time for the World Cup by June 2010.

Reports have showed that most of the accidents are caused by cars that overturned or spun out of con?trol. According to a statistic sheet two pedestrians were knocked down during the early morning peak hour period, in some instances a delineator (the black and yellow roadsigns) bumped and one motorist even tried to overtake another on the narrow strip of road that is currently at the disposal of motorists using this stretch of road.

He said these accidents are mainly caused by impatient and reckless motorists not adhering to the speed limits as prescribed by the construction road signs.

Although the accidents are causing delays and despite bad weather, everything is still on schedule.

He said the road is under construction for upgrading and improvement between Swartklip interchange and Stellenberg interchange.

“Both existing carriageways (northbound and southbound) are being altered to increase the road capacity. Together with the upgrading of the existing road an additional lane will be added in both directions increasing the capacity from two lanes to three.

“A median barrier will be constructed separating the two carriageways. Along with this, lighting will also be provided in the median,” he said.

“During construction two lanes of traffic are maintained on both carriageways.

However, at times and over short distances, this will be reduced to a singe lane to make provision for the temporay works.

Single lane traffic accommodation will be provided on all the on and off ramps at the interchanges. In order to keep the public informed of the traffic diversions and roadsigns, information boards are erected on approach roads to inform motorists.”

The contract also includes the upgrading and improvement of the existing on and off ramps at the interchanges serving the R300.

Various existing bridges at the interchanges will also be widened.

This includes the work currently in progress at the Van Riebeeck Road bridge as one would exit the R300 to turn towards Bellville or Kuils River.

The work also includes improvements to drainage and direction signage.

The contract was awarded to HIR Joint Venture, a joint venture formed between the two Cape based companies Haw & Inglis Civil Engineering (Prt) Ltd and Roadmac Surfacing (Pty) Ltd.

Construction commenced at the beginning of August last year and is anticipated to run for 24 months. .