THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF THE N7 VISSERSHOK WEIGHBRIDGE ON FARM 153 VISSERSHOK OUTSPAN (C1038: UPGRADING OF TR11/1), CITY OF CAPE TOWN MUNICIPALITY, WESTERN CAPE

Sharples Environmental Services cc (SES) has been appointed by Hatch South Africa (Pty) Ltd on behalf of the Western Cape Government: Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) to undertake the environmental assessment in accordance with the National Environmental Management Act, 1998 (Act 107 of 1998), as amended, and the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations of 2014, as amended (GNR 326 of 2017), for the proposed relocation and construction of the N7 Vissershok Weighbridge (C1038: upgrading of TR11/1).

At present, there is an operational weighbridge along the N7 northbound (Figure 1) The proposed relocated weighbridge will be predominantly located on a portion of Farm Vissershok Outspan 153, City of Cape Town (CoCT) Municipality, Western Cape. Sections of the proposed weighbridge site, such as slipway roads, are located on Farm Morningstar 25/141 and a portion of Morningstar RE/141. Two alternative locations have been determined for the proposed weighbridge (Figure 3 and Figure 4). During the site sensitivity verification, an area of “High Conservation Value” Cape Flats Sand Fynbos was noted by the Botanical Specialist in the central portion of the site. Given the conservation importance of this vegetation type, three additional alternatives have been proposed in conjunction with the originally proposed layouts (Figure 4 ,Figure 6 and Figure 7). Based on the specialist recommendations, the refined engineer drawing Alternative 5 is the preferred site layout (Figure 7). The design layout of Alternative 5, the proposed layout extends on both sides of the N7 to extend traffic accommodation.

PLEASE SEE MAPS ATTACHED TO CASE.

The intention is to demolish the existing weighbridge and rehabilitate this site while establishing the new Vissershok Weighbridge approximately 600 m north of the existing site. This proposal aligns with an existing larger road works programme, to accommodate the N7 diamond interchange, to the south of the existing site and this larger road works proposal amendment/extension was approved on 13 April 2022, DEADP Ref.: 14/3/1/1/1A1/16/0564/21. The new proposed project will help improve our roads and road safety.

The proposed Vissershok weighbridge will include the main weighbridge structure, services building, offices and parking areas, fencing and relevant service connections (water, sewer and electricity infrastructure) and connecting slipway roads. It will also include a weigh-in-motion station along the southbound corridor of the N7.

ENGINEERING INPUT (PLANNED INFRASTRUCTURE)

Administration Block
At this stage, it is envisaged that provision would be made for an administration block similar to the existing one at the facility. However, it is proposed that provision be made for a separate Operations Room to be located on the N7 side of the scale to improve the communication between the driver of the vehicle and the staff in the Operations Room. An assessment will be carried out of the current facility in the detail design stage to ascertain whether any further improvements to the layout of the office block should be included in the new facility, such as the use of solar power.

Weighbridge Holding Area
Currently there is a gravelled holding area, which has a demarcated concrete block paved area, for the transfer and or re-packing of goods for vehicles that exceed the axle weight limitations. At this stage it is not envisaged to plan for anything larger or smaller unless instructed otherwise.

Weighbridge
It is proposed that a totally new weighbridge with the latest technology and electronics be installed. It is further proposed that provision be made for a 3,6m wide scale to accommodate abnormal loads.

Weigh-in Motion Facilities
It is proposed that weigh-in-motion facilities be installed in both the southbound and northbound directions.

Weighbridge Facility Access Road Layout
The proposed layout of the roadworks for the weighbridge facility is presented in Annexure K. The weigh-in-motion facility, in the south bound direction, has been shifted further north (compared to the previous scheme) to avoid having to provide an auxiliary lane between the weigh-in-motion facility and the N7-southbound off-ramp of the Van Schoorsdrift Interchange.