BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT PROPOSED UPGRADING OF THE N2 NATIONAL ROAD FROM KRAAIBOSCH TO DIE VLEIE BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT The South African National Roads Agency Society Limited (SANRAL) proposes to upgrade a 15-kilometre section of the N2 National Road between Kraaibosch, George and Die Vleie, Wilderness. This Background Information Document provides a summary of the project proposal and the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process that will be undertaken. It is intended to inform stakeholders, organs of state, and the interested and affected public of the proposals and the opportunities to participate. Project Background SANRAL has appointed SMEC South Africa (SMEC) to carry out upgrades to the N2 National Road (National Route 2/7), between Kraaibosch (km 28.6) and Die Vleie (km 43.585). The Environmental Partnership has been appointed to conduct an environmental impact assessment of the proposed upgrades. The route is located in the Eden District Municipality, and includes the urban areas of Kraaibosch and Wilderness. See Figure A: Locality Map. An analysis of current road conditions along the route was carried out in 2015. The analysis identified areas of concern including: pavement failure; an unsafe number of accesses and intersections; and a need for dualling in some sections. In order to address the identified concerns, SMEC has prepared designs to improve road user safety, access management and traffic movement throughout the section. Project Proposal The proposed upgrades to the N2 include various components, which are shown in Figure B: Proposed Upgrades, and described in detail on the following page. Component 1: Road Widening at Kaaimans Gat Parking Area in the Kaaimans Pass The Kaaimans Pass in the vicinity of the Kaaimans Gat parking area currently includes two eastbound lanes (towards Wilderness) and one westbound lane (towards George). It is proposed that the road be widened to accommodate a second westbound lane, for a distance of approximately 350 metres. The road will be widened by approximately four metres, and supported by a retaining wall. The existing parking area will be resurfaced, and a pedestrian footpath providing access to the beach will be formalised. Component 2: Road Widening and Dual Carriageway at Foot of Kaaimans Pass The foot of Kaaimans Pass in Wilderness is proposed to be upgraded to accommodate a dual carriageway with a protected right-turn lane and raised median. The affected section extends from km 35.6 to the intersection with George Street, a distance of approximately 800 metres. The protected right-turn lane will be constructed for westbound vehicles Proposed upgrade of N2 from Kraaibosch to Die Vleie Background Information Document (June 2016) 1
accessing the houses north of the road, west of George Street. The road widening will occur in a southward direction, and will be supported by a retaining wall. Component 3: Road Widening and Dual Carriageway from Touw River Bridge to Die Vleie The existing road between the Touw River Bridge in Wilderness and Die Vleie will be upgraded to a dual carriageway with a raised median and protected turning lanes. The upgraded cross-section will include a surfaced shoulder and a walkway on the southern (beach) side of the road. This section is approximately 6.8 kilometres in extent, and will require widening on both shoulders of the road. Retaining walls will be constructed above the road to support existing dunes, and below the road where the road is above the level of the surroundings. Protected turning lanes will be constructed for major accesses along this section. Component 4: Rehabilitation Within Existing Footprint The existing road will be rehabilitated kerb-tokerb, from the project s western extent in Kraaibosch (km 28.6) to the Touw River bridge where the new dual carriageway starts (km 36.8). This section has an extent of approximately 8.2 kilometres. The existing road footprint will be maintained, comprising two lanes in either direction. Existing bridges over the Swart River and Kaaimans River, and existing culverts conveying stormwater, will be maintained. Component 5: New Frontage Road in Kraaibosch In order to consolidate existing accesses and reduce the number of intersections in close proximity to one another, a frontage road will be constructed in Kraaibosch at km 29.4. It will realign the existing animal park access road to connect with the roundabout at the Sasol filling station. Component 6: New Roundabout in Wilderness and closure of Station Road A new two-lane roundabout / traffic circle will be constructed in Wilderness at the George Street intersection to improve access between the N2 and George Street. Retaining walls will support the roundabout on the Wilderness Railway Station and Beacon Road sides. Beacon Road will be slightly realigned to accommodate the circle. Pedestrian sidewalks will be constructed, along with a ramp to the existing pedestrian underpass. Component 7: New Roundabout and Frontage Road in Kleinkrantz A new two-lane roundabout / traffic circle will be constructed at the eastern extent of the project at the Die Vleie intersection. A new frontage road will run parallel along the N2 from Protea Street (the Kleinkrantz access road) to the new roundabout, while the existing intersection with Protea Street will be closed. A single, consolidated intersection for both Die Vleie and Kleinkrantz will result. Component 8: Erosion protection works in a watercourse between the Kaaimans River and Swart River bridges A seasonal stream flows beneath the Kaaimans Pass between the two major bridges on the pass. After flowing through a culvert under the road, the stream drops steeply before joining the Kaaimans River. Between the culvert and the river, severe erosion has occurred, forming a deep gully or donga which is threatening the stability of the slope. The proposed work includes the infilling of the gully and the installation of gabion baskets and other erosion protection structures to stabilise the channel. Component 9: Buried rock revetment at the Touw River bridge to prevent erosion. The Touw River mouth, when it was open during a recent flooding event, moved further than usual toward the east and threatened to undermine the bridge. In order to protect the bridge from future potential erosion by the river, it is proposed that a buried rock revetment (sloped wall constructed of angular rock), be constructed below the level of the sand on the southeast side of the bridge. Environmental Context The section of the N2 to be upgraded links George with Wilderness and Sedgefield. The western sections are located on the coastal plateau near George, largely within agricultural and rapidly urbanising surroundings. The road drops down to the coast through the Kaaimans Pass, crossing the Swart and the Kaaimans rivers so. Patches of Afromontane forest occur along the Kaaimans Pass. Proposed upgrade of N2 from Kraaibosch to Die Vleie Background Information Document (June 2016) 2
After skirting the edge of the Kaaimans estuary, the road climbs briefly and drops down into the coastal town of Wilderness. The Touw River estuary, which forms part of the Garden Route National Park, is crossed at its mouth by the N2. East of the Touw River, the N2 lies parallel to the coast, immediately inland of the coastal dunes. Natural vegetation along the N2 is predominantly dune thicket, parts of which are designated as critical biodiversity areas. Environmental Legislative Requirements The proposed upgrades to the N2 involve several activities that require environmental authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 107 of 1998 (NEMA) and the EIA Regulations (GN No. R982 of 2014). These include: Activities 15, 17, 19, 24, 54, & 56 of Listing Notice 1 (GN No. R983) and Activities 4, 10, 12, 14, 18, & 23 of Listing Notice 3 (GN No. R985). These activities relate to: the clearing of indigenous vegetation; the development of structures within the coastal zone; development and widening of roads; and the storage of fuel during the construction phase. An application for Environmental Authorisation, and a Basic of environmental impacts, is required. Details of the process, and opportunities to participate, are provided on page 4 of this document. Other legislation applicable to the project includes the National Water Act (36 of 1998), the National Environmental Management: Integrated Coastal Management Act (24 of 2008), the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (34 of 2004), the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (57 of 2003), the National Forests Act (94 of 1998), the Sea-shore Act (21 of 1935) and the National Heritage Resources Act (25 of 1999). Environmental impacts identified to date The identification and assessment of potential environmental impacts is central to the EIA process. Environmental impacts which have been identified to date and which will be considered further in the EIA process include: Design impacts Loss of dune thicket vegetation; Potential encroachment on watercourses; Construction phase impacts Increased traffic and congestion; Noise and dust impacts; Visual impact; Employment creation; Operational phase impacts Noise impacts; Light impacts; and Reduced congestion and improved road safety. The above list is not exhaustive. Specialist studies have been commissioned in respect of botanical impacts and freshwater ecology impacts. An investigation of heritage aspects of the proposal will also be undertaken. Alternatives As required by the EIA Regulations, alternatives will be considered and assessed during the EIA process. EIA process and opportunity to participate Input from interested and affected parties, including adjacent landowners, ratepayers and conservation organisations, organs of state, and other interested members of the public, is a key informant of the EIA process. The project is currently in the pre-application phase and this Background Information Document is available for a 30 day commenting period. The table overleaf indicates the next steps in the process and ways in which you can participate. You are invited to attend a public display/information session (Open House) at which can view information on the project and discuss concerns with the project team. Details of the Open House are as follows: Venue: George Municipal Banquet Hall 71 York Street, George Date and time: Wednesday 6 July 2016 16:00 to 19:00 (drop in at any time during the three hours) Proposed upgrade of N2 from Kraaibosch to Die Vleie Background Information Document (June 2016) 3
You may also provide written comments or register for further notifications during the EIA process to be undertaken by contacting The Environmental Partnership at the details below. Please include your name, contact details (preferred method of notification, e.g. e-mail address or fax number) and an indication of any direct business, financial, personal or other interest which you have in the application. ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE Pre-application [current phase] Draft Basic Final Basic Decision Project Phase Initial identification of potential issues Introduction of project to the public Registration of interested and affected parties 30 day comment period Application for environmental authorisation and 30 day comment period on Draft Basic Finalisation of Basic and final 30 day comment period, if required Decision by Department of Environmental Affairs and notification of registered public Information available Background Information Document [this document] Draft Basic Final Basic Environmental Authorisation and Reasons for Decision Opportunity to participate Attend the Open House on 6 July (details below) Register as an interested and affected party for further notifications Submit written comments by email, fax, mail or at the Open House Register as an interested and affected party for further notifications Submit written comments by email, fax, or mail Submit written comments by email, fax, or mail For further information or to comment or register, please contact: Jeremy Rose The Environmental Partnership Mail: P O Box 945, Cape Town 8001 Email: info@enviropart.co.za Fax: 021 422 0998 / Tel: 021 422 0999 You may provide comment on this BID and/or Open House information on or before 20 July 2016. Proposed upgrade of N2 from Kraaibosch to Die Vleie Background Information Document (June 2016) 4