The first step towards the much-awaited Conrad Drive widening was taken when residents, ward councillors and officials attended a public meeting in Blairgowrie. Residents from wards 90 and 102 attended the meeting presented by JRA (Johannesburg Roads Agency) officials with Ward 102 councillor David Potter saying the meeting was a success with community members in attendance.
“The due processes including environmental impact have been cleared and approved which is why the go-ahead has finally been given. The JRA and their engineering consultant were on hand to answer any questions related to the project,” said Potter.
Ward 90 councillor Martin Williams said the project has been on the cards for many years and in previous years there has been very little money allocated.
“There is more money now and councillor Potter and myself are pushing the JRA to get things done because we experience the traffic ourselves and we understand the complaints.”
He added that the JRA could not give a definite timeline but there should be more action in April.
Project manager from the JRA, Mikateko Madungandaba gave a presentation of the background to the project. He said there is a lot of traffic congestion on Conrad Drive which leads to traffic-safety challenges including non-motorised users’ safety concerns.
He added that an estimated total budget of R83 110 500 was approved with proposed works to include bridge widening; provision of turning lanes; non-motorised traffic facilities provision; erosion protection and relocation of services.
“The majority of the works does not require road closures, however, works will take place mainly with single lane closures at certain times. Road closures will also occur when placing beams over a weekend,” explained Madungandaba.
Williams acknowledged that this meant there would be no hectic closing of the bridge, but there would obviously be disruptions and limited lane-space with work being done. “The whole project, once it gets going, should take 12 to 18 months. JRA has been engaging with property owners that will be affected. There is a plan to fix everything on the concerned roads and it is happening.”
Potter said they looked forward to this long-awaited project, ‘to bring relief to the morning peak west-east traffic across the Braamfontein Spruit’.
Details: Johannesburg Roads Agency www.jra.org.za
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