Durban’s Bayhead Road rehab on schedule to ease port congestion

The Bayhead Road Rehabilitation Project, a pivotal infrastructure endeavour at the Port of Durban, is making notable strides as it advances into its second phase.

Since its inception in June 2025, the project has seen seamless progression from Phase 1 to Phase 2, with ongoing construction efforts causing minimal disruption to port logistic operations.

Phase 2 focuses on the crucial outbound carriageway from the Shell Garage to the Rotterdam Intersection, as well as the inbound carriageway from Wagtail to the Langeberg Intersection.

Current construction activities include the removal of ageing asphalt and the laying down of new Bitumen-Stabilised Material (BSM) base and asphalt layers. Additional upgrades involve the cleaning and repair of kerbs, channels, and stormwater manholes.

In alignment with Transnet National Ports Authority’s (TNPA) commitment to maintaining safety and operational excellence, several additional measures are being introduced to bolster road safety and improve traffic management.

These enhancements include the installation of new road signage, marked lane indicators, reflective road studs, and measures to calm traffic speed within the busy Bayhead logistics corridor.

Effective stakeholder engagement is a fundamental component of the project’s implementation. Weekly consultations with port users and affected businesses have fostered transparency and collaboration throughout the project's duration.

This engagement has been instrumental in refining project execution and minimising any potential operational impacts. Stakeholders have expressed unwavering support for the ongoing improvements, underscoring the community's collective investment in the project's success.

"The Bayhead Road Rehabilitation Project is a catalyst for improved port efficiency and logistics reliability at the Port of Durban. As one of the country’s most important trade gateways, infrastructure modernisation of this nature is critical to supporting economic growth by safeguarding cargo flows and reinforcing South Africa’s position in the global supply chain," said Nkumbuzi Ben-Mazwi, the TNPA Acting Port Manager for the Durban port.

IOL