MEC launches R87-million Cedar Road upgrade project
FOURWAYS - Despite interruptions from protesters the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, launched Phase two of the Cedar Road upgrade project in Fourways.
FOURWAYS – Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, launched Phase two of the Cedar Road upgrading project in Fourways valued at R87 million on 2 March.
Despite interruptions by protesters, Vadi turned the sod, marking the start of the project which will take 11 months to complete. Cedar Road forms part of the provincial road network and acts as an inter-urban collector of traffic for surrounding townships.
Vadi emphasised that the project was made possible through partnering with the developers of Steyn City who contributed 30 per cent towards the project.
He explained that the 3km project would involve rehabilitating and widening Cedar Road on both sides and that the road would then become a dual carriageway.
“Currently, the road experiences a mix of light traffic as well as significant heavy vehicle traffic, primarily related to the transport of building materials from the northern outskirts of Johannesburg and nears 2 000 cars during peak hours,” he said. “The area has seen significant residential development over the past 15 years such as the Steyn City development and further residential and business growth is expected to continue over the next few years.”
He emphasised that the greater economic benefit for the area was the development opportunities the upgrade would generate.
“Unattractive land tracts now look ready for development and we hope that the rehabilitation of this road will act as a catalyst for further development to take place,” said Vadi. “Everyone should be able to use this road and not just motorists. It will accommodate cyclists, pedestrians and wheelchairs as well.”
Related Article: Upgraded road officially opened
Vadi further explained that the project was envisioned to improve the traffic capacity, pavement integrity and promote black-owned economic enterprise during the construction period. Adding that sub-contracting and SMME procurement was targeted at 40 per cent of the contract price and R1 million has been set aside for training local labour.
Vadi also announced that the department was planning Phase three of the Cedar Road rehabilitation between Runnymead Road and the R114.
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