Will Bridge upgrade improve safety in Conrad Drive?
BLAIRGOWRIE – City of Joburg upgrades infrastructure and traffic management along Conrad Drive to ensure the road is safe.
Ward 102 Councillor David Potter welcomed the decision by Joburg Road Agency (JRA) to improve the safety at Conrad Drive in Blairgowrie.
JRA upgraded infrastructure and traffic management along Conrad Drive to ensure the City’s roads infrastructure were safe, accessible and liveable for residents.
Orange indicates serious accidents and yellow slight with blue “no injury”. Photo supplied.
The most recent development started in June when the JRA appointed a consultant to conduct a basic assessment and water use licence related to the widening of the bridge.
“The need for the widening of the bridge and related other intersection changes around the bridge is as a result of the enormous growth of the City,” explained Councillor Potter.
The City allocated a budget for the reconstruction of Conrad Drive Bridge over Braamfontein Spruit for widening the road and increase storm water capacity after former Ward 90 Councillor Gordon Mackay, now Member of Parliament, and Councillor David Potter in 2010, submitted the petition to the council.
“The allocated budget for the widening of Conrad Drive and related other changes is set at R20 million for the 2015/2016 financial year,” he elaborated.
He further explained that Conrad Drive was one of the only main mobility spines carrying traffic through Randburg from the West to Sandton and surrounding areas.
Read previous story: R21-million bridge is necessary – Municipality
He concluded that if JRA considered the entire knock-on effects on the widening of the intersection of Jan Smuts and Conrad Drive, and the synchronisation of the traffic signals along the entire stretch of Jan Smuts this project could be successful.
JRA spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers explained they were finalising a feasibility study for the widening of the bridge which includes a traffic analysis of the area which could influence the future layout of the Conrad Drive and Jan Smuts intersection.
She further explained that JMPD spokesperson Wayne Minnaar confirmed three serious motor accidents occurred along Jan Smuts Ave close to the Zoo, about five kilometres from Conrad Drive since January to August this year prompting infrastructure upgrade in Conrad Avenue.
“A consultant has been appointed for basic planning and preliminary design,” she explained.
Peters-Scheepers concluded that once the approval had been granted, construction was expected to commence in the 2016/17 financial year.
One of the business owners in Blairgowrie on Conrad Drive, Mack Roe said the bridge would not change much in the area.
See previous story: Business owner worries about accidents on Conrad Drive
Details: Ward 102 Councillor David Potter david@oursuburb.co.za; Joburg Road Agency 011 298 5023.
