Jacaranda Avenue gets a facelift
OLIVEDALE – Residents to expect a four-month revamp of Jacaranda Avenue.
Major upgrades to Jacaranda Avenue will see a much-anticipated alleviation of traffic congestion.
Joburg Roads Agency (JRA) has finally approved plans to upgrade the very busy road after weeks of consultation with Balwin Properties and Ward 101 Councillor Ralf Bittkau.
This partnership comes after Balwin Properties requested to build the 1060 unit estate which has raised concerns by residents due to traffic congestion. Councillor Bittkau explained that the council and residents have been trying to upgrade Jacaranda for years.
“I approached Balwin Properties and explained that it would benefit the community if they agreed to upgrade Jacaranda in conjunction with their new estate in Olivedale,” said Councillor Bittkau. General manager of Balwin Properties, Rodney Gray, immediately agreed and approached JRA for approval.
After some time, JRA approved the plans on 26 May. JRA spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers said, “This is part of a private residential development that has been approved following a traffic impact study and the submission of plans for the necessary road upgrades in support of the new development.”
The upgrade will involve the widening of Jacaranda Avenue by making both directions double lanes, with a slip lane, left, from Amsterdam Drive as well as an opening from into Windsor Way.
“This is a great show of support and commitment to the community, I am extremely pleased as this will thoroughly improve traffic flow in the area,” added Councillor Bittkau.
Gray commented, “We, at Balwin Properties, were hoping to have the upgrades completed sooner as we believe that it will unlock traffic because at the moment it is hectic.”
The upgrades according to Gray are expected to be completed in four months. “We expect the end of September, beginning of October for the renovations to be finalised,” said Gray.
Details: JRA, 0860 562 874 or Ward 101 Councillor, Ralf Bittkau, 084 572 4002.
