April 25 saw the proposal of the K113 route explained to members of the public at a public information session for the route determination.
The route is part of the Gauteng 25 year Integrated Transport Master Plan that will see development until 2037.
The Gauteng 25 year Integrated Transport Master Plan was established to enable the Department of Roads and Transport to regulate, plan and develop an efficient and well integrated transport system that serves the public interest by enhancing mobility and delivering safe, secure and environmentally responsible road-based public and private transport and air and rail services.
The proposed route will create two multiple-laned one-way roads. One will run north to south whilst the other will run in a south to north direction.
“It will have a massive impact on Edenvale residents, businesses and many present were visibly upset with the information supplied,” said ward 19 councillor, Clr Bill Rundle.
Some of the concerns from the public include:
- Safety of pedestrians, schools/scholars and cyclists.
- What impact the route would have on traffic.
- What the impact on local business would be and whether there will be a loss of business and possible expropriation of properties.
- “The national road will require everyone to get involved. There must be continuous dialogue, people must ask questions and make informed decisions,” said Mr Paolo Agostinetto, chairman of Edenvale City Improvement District (ECID).
“ECID requests that residents do their homework and understand the project,” said the chairman.
According to Clr Rundle, although some residents “expressed their outrage very bluntly”, stating that more needs to be done on current issues, neither the councillors nor the residents are opposed to road improvements and development overall.
“But they were opposed to the project. It was clear that there would be no obvious benefit to the residents of Edenvale and those present were reminded that this route determination was being done for the greater good of the Gauteng City Region. Whilst the town road systems would be placed under severe strain it would only be at the next stage being the design stage that the full impact of this proposed route would be seen,” said Clr Rundle.
“The community must get involved, the outcome of the proposal must be what the public wants. We must keep an open mind, we have to have change,” said Mr Agostinetto.
The next step will be that the consultants of the K113 project Lokisa Environmental Consultants and Nyeleti Consulting Engineers will present their report inclusive of comments from the community to the Gauteng Roads Department and these will be used as the basis for the second phase of the project which will include the design phase and public participation.
“All information and future communications will be disseminated to the community at large as soon as it becomes available,” said Clr Rundle.
The NEWS sent enquiries to the consultants of the project and to Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality on April 28 and May 16.
This most recent inquiries were sent with requests for comment by May 19. At the time of going to print no comment had been received.
