M1 traffic disruptions to last 18 months
JOBURG – With JRA rehabilitating three bridges including Oxford Road, Federation Road and the M1 Double Decker bridges, motorists are warned that due to lane closures, alternative routes or public transport will have to be used.
The Joburg Roads Agency (JRA) is pleading with road users to bear with them as they conduct much needed rehabilitation to Oxford Road, Federation Road and Double Decker, M1 bridges.
Acting managing director for JRA Mpho Kau said that motorists would have to exercise patience as the bridges were in dire need of restoration.
“Over the next 18 months there will be traffic congestion around the affected areas and we ask motorists to bear with the work that is being done,” he said.
He added that there were 10 000 cars per hour that used the affected roads during peak times in traffic and that they recommend that motorists use public transport to alleviate the congestion that they foresee due to the work being done.
He pointed out that after extensive research they expected the delays to be between 45 minutes and one hour but that could become more or less depending on the number of motorist who will use affected roads.
“Please be patient, remain courteous and obey traffic signs during this short period of disruptions. The long-term benefits of a world class M1 freeway bridge network will far outweigh the temporary inconvenience during the rehabilitation phase,” Kau said.
He added that motorists should consider alternative routes to get to work or use public transport.
“We have briefed the Metro Bus, Rea Vaya and Gautrain and these public transport services are ready to accommodate the extra commuters,” he said.
Kau added that during the rehabilitation of the bridges the number of lanes will be reduced and carriageways closed, but he urged motorists to go to the JRA website, which will help motorists stay updated on what is happening.
Kau said that the existing traffic on both carriageways (one travelling north and one travelling south) was of such a nature that work on the bridge decks require lane closures to be undertaken at night. However, during week days, either the left lane or the right lane may be closed to traffic between the hours of 9.30am and 2.30pm.
Kau said that during the week, night closures will take place:
- Between 7pm and 8pm: one lane on either the left or right
- Between 8pm and 4am: two lanes on either the left or right
- Between 4am and 5am: 1 lane on either the left or right
On weekends the following closures will occur:
- Between 5am and 7pm Saturday: one lane on either the left or right hand side of the carriageway
- Between 7pm on a Saturday to 5am Monday: two on either the left or right of the carriageway.
The repair of the bridge deck beam corbels will be carried out when the bridge deck is fully propped (from ground level). He pointed out that this will entail the closure of one lane on both carriage ways for a period of time not exceeding seven days and the public will be informed of the exact period.
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