Radio Islam News Team – 18/02/2016

Johannesburg’s Road Agency’s (JRA) major rehabilitation to three pivotal bridges on the M1 freeway is soon to enter its second phase.

The construction will lead to significant changes and long term improvements to the City of Johannesburg’s Freeway Network.

The two sections of road which will be most affected will be the iconic Double Decker section of the M1 near the Crown mine Interchange.

The construction work on the Oxford and Federation bridges will be concluded in a year’s time, while other work will take place on the highway, which will result in lane closures.

No pain no gain according to Councillor Bafana Sithole.

“We have to go through the pain to recognise the gain” said Sithole.

Councillor on the Committee for Transport Christine Walters says that phase 2 is the phase that will be affecting all communities.

She also addressed the flooding on the Double Decker Bridge which affects all motorists using the motorway.

“The flooding in the ‘Double Decker’ really delays people by a number of hours and it’s also unsafe.”

The revitalisation project forms part of an investment of more than 100-billion rand in strategic infrastructure over a ten year period.

Certain lanes on the Double Decker section will be closed until the 6^th of July 2017 during weekdays between 09:30 and 14:30.

Brigadier Superintendent Wayne Minnaar says traffic during this period will be more congested-

“My suggestion is people need to stagger their time, either you start a little earlier and leave work a little earlier, or you start work little later and leave work later at night.”

The alternative routes for people travelling to the Sandton, Midrand area would be the N1 Western Bypass, people travelling to Rosebank can use William Nicol Drive and also use the N2 Joe Slovo by going through Houghton and then getting onto the M1 to avoid the section at Parktown.” Minnaar said.

Construction will however be halted during morning and afternoon peak hours- with work stepped up in the evenings and over weekends.

The existing storm water drainage system in both areas will be replaced as a top priority according to Walters.

The acting MD of the Johannesburg Roads Agency Mpho Kau says there will be additional congestion on the highway.

“Certain lanes on the freeway will be closed during construction and traffic will be diverted until 2017.”

He has urged motorists to familiarise themselves with the road closures that will take place from next week.

Kau says that commuters should add at least 30 minutes to their travel time and also consider alternative routes.

Mobile applications that can be downloaded will assist motorists in choosing the best roads and travel times and detailed information will be freely on the JRA website and social media.

Website: www.jra.org.za                                     

Email: hotline@jra.org.za

Officials from the City and the JRA say the upgrades will be well worth the disruptions, in the long run.

Twitter: @thedabhelia