The much-anticipated Cornubia link bridge and interchange scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2017 will provide Cornubia-based businesses unencumbered access to main arterial routes, as well as a dedicated link into the heart of Umhlanga’s New Town Centre.
This is according to Dan Gardener of FWJK Quantity Surveyors, who says the roadway will be the second access route linking Cornubia to the N2. The link bridge and interchange form part of an extension to the Umhlanga Ridge Boulevard crossing over the N2 freeway adjacent to the flagship Porsche dealership.
Gardener says this link will form a part of the new Go!Durban Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network (IRPTN), a priority transport project that combines existing and new rail systems with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, road, pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
“The multi-million rand link bridge will ensure that Cornubia is the best connected and accessible A-Grade industrial estate in KwaZulu-Natal, adding value to Redefine Properties’ newly completed Ushukela Industrial Park,” he says.
Ushukela is a 27 660sqm greenfield industrial development featuring 16 mid-size units ideal for light manufacturing, warehousing, logistics and similar applications.
Furthermore, Gardener says the new N2 highway interchange will provide free-flow accessibility to the greater Cornubia precinct and Ushukela Industrial Park, firmly positioning it as an ideal location for businesses looking for a strategically located industrial hub.
Ushukela Industrial Park is approximately 30 minutes from the port and the Durban CBD. Businesses commuting between Durban and Richards Bay can now reduce travel times when dispatching from Cornubia.
Gardener says close proximity to the King Shaka International Airport, Umhlanga and Gateway shopping centres and Mount Edgecombe should see Ushukela emerge as a versatile multi-industrial facility.
“Ushukela is well located for businesses to leverage its proximity to the Port, CBD and retail centres,” says Johann Nell, National Asset Manager - Industrial, Redefine Properties.
“The benefit of efficient connectivity to central and northern nodes establishes our park as a key industrial facility, suitable for warehousing for smaller importers and technology-focused industries.”
He says the design-led facility offers ambient lighting through translucent sheet inserts, LED lighting throughout and sectionalised industrial doors delivering a greener environment to local industry.
The region is a future platform for oil, gas and renewable energy industries for local and export production. With both Richards Bay and the Dube TradePort already established as Industrial Development Zones (IDZ), the entire province is poised for explosive growth.
The DTI has earmarked Dube TradePort, along with the Tshiame IDZ in Harrismith, as the first to be transformed into special economic zones as soon as the regulatory framework has been established. This is expected to bring further attractive differentiated incentives for doing business in KZN.
“Ushukela is taking shape on a highly visible site facing onto one of the main boulevards. Entry is from a controlled side road with a wide turning circle to allow even the largest vehicles to enter and leave with ease,” says Nell.
“We are seeing an increasing interest in the park on the back of its positive attributes, as well as those of the area - and we are finalising tenancies for Block A at the moment. As part of our Cornubia pipeline we are able to entertain bespoke developments of up to 25 000sqm for qualifying clients.”