The intersection of death will remain unchanged

It seems that the proposed flyover at the notorious Pinehaven intersection, or intersection of death as it is infamously known, will remain the ‘stairway to heaven’, referring to the horrific fatal accidents taking place there.

After the NEWS had reported in June 2013 about the DA councillors in Mogale City petitioning for the project to go ahead, information provided to the NEWS recently clearly indicated that the flyover no longer will be built.

Earlier this year the NEWS was contacted by a concerned resident living near Cradlestone Mall who again raised questions about developments with the flyover on the K72/ R28 road, hence the investigation.

Although the intersection saw upgrading to a certain extent when the new mall was constructed, a flyover will resolve the fatality issue. Despite numerous queries lodged to the Gauteng Department of Transport and Public Works (Gautrans), none has been forthcoming.

However, during the Gauteng Premier’s State of the Province address on Monday 24 February, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane stated that the West Rand will be on the receiving end of provincial expenditure as plans were announced for government to spend R10 billion to widen two national roads in a bid to ease traffic congestion – one of those roads being the N14 from Krugersdorp towards Diepsloot.

Those roads, she said, would not be tolled. The NEWS spoke to Kevin Coleman, a resident of Pinehaven, about recent developments. Coleman together with a few DA councillors and other community members formed a committee that dedicated most of their time to get to the bottom of the flyover saga.

But after the committee had reached a dead end, it was dissolved. “It became clear to us that the flyover was not going to happen anymore.

There is nothing left for us to do, and there are no more funds available for it,” said Coleman. Coleman told the NEWS that he personally contacted Gauteng Premier Mokonyane to inform her that he would be laying a charge of murder against her when the next fatal accident at that intersection happens.

“She was not impressed and told me that no-one threatened her,” Coleman said. Furthermore, Peter Barnhoorn, the father of Saskia Barnhoorn (21) who lost her life in August 2003 in an accident at the intersection, has removed the mangled wreckage of his daughter’s vehicle on top of the hill, which was a clear reminder for motorists (especially truck drivers) to be careful when travelling down Hillsnax towards the intersection.

“It is a completely hopeless situation and a reminder we do not want to face anymore. We also removed the vehicle since the new tenants of the lot did not want to be associated with it,” said Barnhoorn.

For now, the only hope motorists have is that Premier Mokonyane will keep her word and that other motorists, including drivers of heavy vehicles, will adhere to the rules of the road.