PROPOSED CAPACITY IMPROVEMENTS TO NA- TIONAL ROUTE 2 (N2) AND NATIONAL ROUTE 3 (N3) WITHIN ETHEKWINI METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY

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1 PROPOSED CAPACITY IMPROVEMENTS TO NA- TIONAL ROUTE 2 (N2) AND NATIONAL ROUTE 3 (N3) WITHIN ETHEKWINI METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION PROCESS (BASIC ASSESSMENT) AND WATER USE LICENCE APPLICATION Proponent: South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) Environmental Assessment Practitioner: ACER (Africa) Environmental Consultants INTRODUCTION This Background Information Document (BID) serves to notify the public of the intention of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) to apply for environmental authorisation, under the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998), for the following projects within the ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality (Figure 1): Capacity Upgrades to the N2 (Solomon Mahlangu to south of Umgeni Rd I/C), including expansion of EB Cloete and Solomon Mahlangu Interchanges, and the N3 (EB Cloete to Paradise Valley) including provision of temporary access for construction below Westville and Paradise Valley viaducts. Capacity Upgrades to the N3 (Paradise Valley to Key Ridge) including provision of temporary access for construction below the Umhlatuzana Viaduct. ACER (Africa) Environmental Consultants (ACER) has been appointed by SANRAL as the independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) to undertake the process required to apply for Environmental Authorisation from the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). As construction will affect various watercourses, ACER will also apply for the required Water Use Licences from the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), in accordance with the National Water Act (Act No. 36 of 1998), as amended. PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT The purpose of this document is to provide members of the public with information about the proposed project. This information will allow readers to: Determine whether they are an Interested and Affected Party (I&AP). Understand the project in order to provide informed comment. Understand the environmental authorisation process in order to participate meaningfully. PROJECT OVERVIEW SANRAL is responsible for improving, managing and maintaining the network of national roads which act as the economic arteries of South Africa. Sections of the N2 and N3 are operating at full capacity and traffic studies indicate a need to upgrade them to accommodate future growth and improve road safety. SANRAL (Eastern Region) thus plans to provide additional lanes along a section of the N2 in Durban and along the N3 between Durban and Cedara. This forms part of the suite of Strategic Infrastructure Projects (SIPs) as described in the National Development Plan, Upgrading will occur in sections covered ultimately by 17 design contracts. The upgrades, which will provide from 4 to 7 lanes in each direction, will improve safety and accommodate traffic growth to Use will be made of the median and existing road reserve to accommodate widening, however additional land will be required in limited areas where further space is needed. Counter flow lanes will be divided by a concrete barrier and retaining walls will be constructed on the road perimeters where required. Interchanges will be upgraded, bridges will require widening and demolition of redundant structures will occur. ACER is undertaking two Basic Assessment (BA) and corresponding Water Use License Application (WULA) processes, which cover 5 engineering design contracts, as shown in Table 1. During the planning phase, additional land will be acquired by SANRAL where needed (mainly where interchanges are expanding).

2 PROJECT OVERVIEW CONTINUED Prior to construction of Westville, Paradise Valley and Umhlatuzana viaducts, temporary construction access roads will need to be established to allow plant to access the area beneath the viaducts. With the exception of these viaduct access roads, contractors will make use of existing roads. No new borrow pits or quarries will be established as materials will be sourced from commercial sources. The main construction activities will include the following: Site Preparation Establishment of site camps and stockpile areas. Provision for on site waste management sewage, waste water, solid waste, etc. Provision for storage/handling/disposal of hazardous substances (e.g. cement, asphalt, fuels and oils). Clearance of vegetation. Removal and stockpiling of topsoil and subsoil. Construction of temporary access roads to Westville, Paradise Valley and umhlatuzana Viaducts. Road and bridge widening Accommodation of traffic. Demolition of structures (where required) Blasting (where required). Excavation with heavy plant. Stockpiling of spoil for building and leveling on site or other parts of the proposed N2 & N3 upgrades. Stockpiling of demolition rubble for building and leveling on site or other parts of the proposed N2 & N3 upgrades. Disposal of excess spoil/rubble to authorized landfill sites. Provision of drainage structures where crossing drainage lines and watercourses. Haulage and placement of materials with heavy plant. Water abstraction from local streams. Water spraying. Rolling, compaction with heavy plant. Bridge jacking. Retaining walls/other stablisation/erosion control structures (as required). Erection of lighting, Armco or concrete barriers, road signs, road lane markings. Re-instatement and rehabilitation Reinstatement of slopes. Reinstatement of topsoil. Revegetation. Erosion control. Alien plant control. ENVIRONMENTAL AUTHORISATION PROCESS Environmental authorisation is being applied for from the national Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (NEMA) (Act No. 108 of 1998) and the 2014 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations. The proposed project triggers listed activities in Listing Notice 1 (GN R. 983, 4 Dec 2014) and Listing Notice 3 (GN R. 985, 4 Dec 2014) and requires the undertaking of a Basic Assessment which involves technical studies and a process of public participation (Figure 2). Listed activities triggered by the project are indicated below. They relate primarily to the development or expansion of infrastructure affecting watercourses and plant biodiversity, as well as to the storage and handling of dangerous goods (e.g. diesel) in some cases, within or near protected areas. Listed activities triggered by the proposed project, according to the EIA Regulations (2014) Number and date of relevant notice Government Notice, No. R. 983, 4 Dec 2014 Activity Number Triggered 12, 14, 19, 24, 31,48, 49, Government Notice, No. R. 985, 4 Dec , 4, 10, 12, 14, 18, 23, POTENTIAL ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION There are various issues and associated potential positive and/or negative impacts associated with the proposed project. I&APs are invited to raise issues of concern and to submit comments. These issues will be investigated during the Basic Assessment process; and relevant associated impacts identified and assessed, and mitigation measures proposed. WATER USE LICENCE APPLICATION (WULA) The WULAs submitted will deal with construction activities that involve the following: Impeding or diverting the flow of water in a watercourse. Activities within 500 m from a wetland boundary, as identified in GN Altering the bed, banks course or characteristics of a watercourse. Water abstraction. 56 2

3 Table 1: Description of engineering Contracts included in two Basic Assessments Basic Assessment 1: Capacity Upgrades to the N2 (Solomon Mahlangu I/C to south of Umgeni Rd I/C), including expansion of EB Cloete and Solomon Mahlangu Interchanges, and the N3 (EB Cloete to Paradise Valley), including provision of temporary access for construction below Westville and Paradise Valley viaducts. 1.1 Upgrade of EB Cloete I/C (including portion of N2 North and N3 West). The N2 portion (4.72 km) is from km 16.0 (south of Wiggins Rd underpass) in the south to km (south end of Umgeni Rd I/ C) in the north. The N3 portion (3.36 km) is from km 8.44 (Sherwood I/C) in the east to km 11.8 (east end of Westville Viaduct) in the west. 1.2 Upgrade of the Solomon Mahlangu IC on the N2 includes 4.2 km of N2 from south of Edwin Swales/ Solomon Mahlangu I/C (km 11.8) in the south to Wiggins Rd (km 16.0) in the north. Includes 2.25 km of the M7 (km 11.3 in the west to km east of the N2) 1.3 Upgrade of the N3 (5.74 km) from Westville Viaduct (km 11.8) to Paradise Valley I/C (km 17.54, immediately west of the I/C). Includes 1.5 km of the M13. Within the EB Cloete I/C, both N2 and N3 will have 4 lanes in each direction. The portions of the N2 and N3 will have 6-7 lanes in each direction. Nearly all cuts and fills will be restrained by retaining walls. Associated works will include lighting and signage. On the N2 north, a pedestrian walkway will be provided adjacent to the northbound carriageway between King Cetshwayo Highway (M13) and Wandsbeck Road. A similar walkway will be provided on the N3 between Rockdale Ave and the Westville Viaduct (and eventually on to the Pavilion Shopping centre) adjacent to the westbound carriageway. Work will be done on the following to accommodate the widened road: Wiggins Rd Underpass, King Cetshwayo Highway (M13), Wandsbeck Rd, Candella Rd, Sherwood I/C, Bristol Rd & Rockdale Ave. Thames Rd footbridge will be demolished and not replaced. The estimated construction period is 5 years and is unlikely to commence before This upgrade involves 4.2 km of the N2 and 2.25 km of the M7. The N2 northbound and N2 southbound will have 7 and 6 lanes respectively. The M7 will have 3 lanes in each direction and 4 lanes in each direction within the I/C. Most ramps within the I/C will be 2 lanes wide. Lane widths will be 3.5m min/3.7m max. Retaining walls will be constructed where needed. Associated works include lighting and signage. A pedestrian walkway will be provided on the N2 between Ridgeview Rd overpass and Wiggins Rd adjacent to the northbound carriageway. Work will be done on the following to accommodate the widened road: Ridgeview Rd overpass and Harry Gwala Rd (Booth Rd) underpass. The estimated construction period is 48 months, commencing early in The N3 will have 6 lanes per direction (7 in some places). The M13 will remain 2 lanes per direction. Lane widths will be 3.5m and 3.7 m. The Paradise Valley IC linking the N3 with the M13 and Stapleton Rd will be remodelled and the Spine Rd I/C (near Pavilion) will be upgraded and additional lanes provided. Retaining walls will be constructed where needed. Associated works include lighting and signage A pedestrian walkway will be provided adjacent to the westbound carriageway between the Westville Viaduct (Rockdale Ave) and the Pavilion. The Westville and Paradise Valley Viaducts will be widened. Construction access roads approx. 8 m wide and 400 m long will be required to gain access beneath the Westville Viaduct (from Molife Rd in Chesterville) and Paradise Valley Viaduct (from Entabeni Rd/Berg Rd through the Paradise Valley Nature Reserve). Work will also be done on the following to accommodate the widened road: Spine Rd/St. James Ave bridge; Langford Rd bridge; Lancaster Rd bridge, Dudley Rd ; Eden Rd : Sanderson Rd/Drake Rd; M13 between Paradise Valley IC and Stapleton Rd. The estimated construction period is 4 years and is unlikely to commence before Basic Assessment 2: Capacity Upgrades to the N3 (Paradise Valley to Key Ridge) including provision of temporary access for construction below the Umhlatuzana Viaduct 2.1 Upgrade of N3 (8.51 km) from Paradise Valley (km 17.5) to N3 Marianhill Toll Plaza (km 26.01) North-and southbound carriageways to be widened to 4 lanes per direction. Lane widths will be 3.5m and 3.7 m. The Farningham (M7) I/C and Richmond Road I/C will be upgraded and additional lanes provided. No improvements will be made to the Mahogany Ridge (M13) I/C under this contract. Retaining walls will be constructed where needed. Associated works will include lighting, signage, drainage, services and guardrails. Work will also be done on the following to accommodate the widened road: Highlands Rd Underpass; Wilson Drive Overpass, Caversham Underpass, Pine Street Overpass and Stockville Rd Overpass. The estimated construction period is 36 months and is unlikely to commence before Upgrade of N3 from Marianhill Toll Plaza to N3 Key Ridge I/ C N3 carriageways to be widened to 5 lanes per direction. Each carriageway will have a 1m fast shoulder, three 3.5m inner lanes and two 3.7m outer lanes with a 2.5m wide slow shoulder. To accommodate the wider roadway, the Umhlatuzana Viaduct has to be widened. Associated works will include new overhead sign gantries, lighting, rehabilitation of the existing carriageways, retaining walls, concrete median wall. Shongweni interchange will not require any capacity under this contract apart from possible rehabilitation of the existing ramps. Access to the Umhlatuzana viaduct will be gained via a 2km long construction road over private property. The estimated construction period is 36 months with an anticipated start date of September

4 INVITATION TO COMMENT Public participation enables persons who are interested in or affected by the proposed project to highlight issues or concerns that need to be addressed during the planning and assessment processes. If you would like to participate in this Basic Assessment process and receive all relevant correspondence, you are requested to register as an I&AP with ACER. Written comment may be submitted via mail, fax or (details below). The deadline for comment in this first round of public consultation is 25 August Thereafter, all registered I&APs will be notified of the availability of the draft Basic Assessment Report and will be afforded 30 days to review and submit further comment. FOR REGISTRATION, COMMENT AND ENQUIRIES: ACER (Africa) Environmental Consultants Charlene Weber or Nolwandle Nkwanyana PO Box 503, Mtunzini 3867 Tel: Fax: Figure 2: Basic Assessment Process (2014 EIA Regulations) 4

5 Figure 1: N3 & N2 Upgrade: Project location within ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality,