Hendrik Potgieter Road to get facelift?
"The road is overcrowded with vehicles of all shapes and sizes and is in desperate need of an upgrade and widening."
If you’ve been to Roodepoort, you have surely encountered both heavy traffic congestion and sporadically located potholes on Hendrik Potgieter Road (M47).
While the communities along the road have grown accustomed to the delay in arrival time and dodging a hole or three while driving, some residents are fed up with the condition of Hendrik Potgieter Road – as it is one of the most frequented roads in the area.
Martin van der Westhuizen, among others, has sent numerous emails to the Department of Roads and Transport raising the issue of the M47, urging the department to assist in rehabilitating the road. Bulelwa Thomas, Regional Manager at the Department of Roads and Transport, replied to the email thread informing the community that they were busy repairing potholes on Christian De Wet Road on November 29. Furthermore Thomas stated that once the team finishes the balance of the potholes on Christian De Wet Road they will commence with Hendrik Potgieter Road.
While this is definitely an improvement on the condition of the road, there are still many factors in play that could argue an upgrade of the road.
“The road is overcrowded with vehicles of all shapes and sizes and is in desperate need of an upgrade and widening. Development surrounding the road has increased dramatically, and the road infrastructure cannot support the volume of people who use it,” explained Van der Westhuizen.
He went on to write that JRA’s further development of Metro Boulevard under the City of Johannesburg has also not materialised, adding to the area’s stress.
“There have been rumours that the Gautrain will have a station in Little Falls and this has seen an increase in high density living housing schemes in an area where there is limited to no infrastructure. There are no taxi ranks in the vicinity and urgent attention is required in our ward to assist the community,” concluded Van der Westhuizen in his email.
Another resident who has been affected by the dire state of the road, Louis Pieters, made a suggestion that, “If providence cannot come to light within the next couple of days and few concerned motorists are willing to contribute a few rand, I will personally fill these few potholes.”
Pieters added that two new tyres will put you out of pocket with between R3 500,00 and R8 000, depending on what you drive. “For some people their Christmas bonus is gone.”
In reply to Van der Westhuizens enquiries, Keyanao Morena, Chief Director of Roads Construction for Department of Roads and Transport, replied to the email acknowledging the request for a road upgrade. Morena also asked her colleagues to advise if M47 is a provincial road and whether an upgrade can be considered by the Department due to the dire traffic congestion that is experienced on this road.
The Northsider has contacted the Department of Roads and Traffic in regards with the criteria Hendrik Potgieter Road needs to meet to be considered for an upgrade.
According to Victor Phala, the Department will deploy a Traffic Engineering team to determine the Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT), the total traffic volume in the year at different times, and different variables will be considered in determining the road upgrade including a Traffic Impact Assessment (TIA) among others.
“The outcome of the investigation will determine a way forward and if the results are positive then the Department will commence with a process of requesting money from Gauteng Provincial Treasury,” Phala elaborated, “Considering the competing priorities of Government, the Department will appreciate contribution from the Developers/ the Private Sector to assist in the road upgrade. Alternatively the Department could issue a wayleave (approval) for the Private Sector to upgrade the road and the Province will maintain the road.”
Phala stated that, “The outcome of the investigation is anticipated to be provided on February 28, 2023.”
The Northsider will keep the community updated on the progress of the investigation and the final verdict of whether or not Hendrik Potgieter Road deserves a facelift.
