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Witkoppen Road facelift on track

PAULSHOF - The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has confirmed that the upgrades to Witkoppen Road are running on schedule.

Motorists have required patience to endure the construction site that Witkoppen Road became with the beginning of upgrades to the road in June. The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has confirmed, however, that the project remains on track to be completed by December as planned.

The project involves not only upgrading the road surface, but landscaping, erection of new road signs, pavement construction, and reconstruction of culverts over a 3km stretch from Main Road towards Rivonia Road.

Isaac Dhludhlu, of the Department of Roads and Transport, laid to rest residents’ concerns that the upgrade might transform Witkoppen Road into a toll road, or a replacement for the K60.

“Rehabilitation of Witkoppen Road will not result in it being a tolled road. It’s an alternative road that may be used by motorists. Witkoppen Road and the K60 are different roads situated in the similar vicinity, each with its own construction project,” Dhludhlu stressed.

Further concerns have been expressed regarding the taxi rank located at the intersection of Witkoppen Road and Umhlanga Drive. The upgrade project will widen that section of Witkoppen Road to accommodate a carriageway onto Umhlanga Drive, and the taxi rank will be displaced. Ward 93 Councillor Annette Deppe has consulted with the taxi association and owners.

“The upgrade will affect the informal taxi rank on the corner of Witkoppen Road and Umhlanga Drive. As a councillor, I suggest that the Randburg United and Local Taxi Association make alternative arrangements with the City of Joburg as to where they must park in future,” said Deppe.

Deppe added that she has requested the intersection be fenced off from the highway following the upgrade, to counter the increasingly violent spate of smash and grabs taking place at that location over the last year.

Meanwhile, residents of suburbs adjoining Witkoppen Road look forward to the completion of a project that will make their daily commutes quicker and easier.

“It will certainly ease the traffic flow – it will definitely assist residents,” commented Paulshof Residents’ Association chairperson, Shathi Govender.

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