The construction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations for the Johannesburg CBD-Alexandra-Sandton route along Louis Botha Avenue is underway, but residents say the project is too slow.
The City of Johannesburg is, however, confident that Phase 1C of the project is on track, saying the majority of the work was now at an advanced stage and claimed most parts were already completed.
The project started in January 2018 and it has not come without its problems, with many residents complaining that it has created nothing but chaos along the arterial road in the suburbs.
Some residents have complained about side roads that have been blocked, forcing motorists to take a long detour to connect to their routes that take them to their destinations.
Others said the project had narrowed the road creating unnecessary traffic which, in turn, subjected motorists to crime such as smash-and-grabs and limited parking spaces.
There are eight stations along Louis Botha and according to the City, seven of them were completed last year with the exception of the Athol /Balfour Park station expected to be completed in March.
According to Nthatisi Modingoane, the spokesperson for the City, due to threats of vandalism of the completed stations, the barriers and hoarding around the stations have not been removed to prevent this and for the safety and security of the public.
Modingoane said the unintended consequence was that the traffic restrictions have not been removed around the completed stations.
“The roadworks that were done on Louis Botha Avenue, from Clarendon place to Lees Street, which included the strengthening of the BRT lane, widening of the sidewalks and laying of asphalt were completed in June 2019 which was the set time to complete this project,” Modingoane added.
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“However, the outstanding asphalt work is for the stations’ footprints which can only be completed at the end of April 2020.”
The project was initially due for completion in June last year, but Modingoane said due to ongoing disruptions and the unforeseen relocation of services, the project’s completion date was now anticipated to be March 2021 including the construction of the underground station.
Johannesburg Development Agency, the custodian of the project, was currently in the process of finalising its stakeholder engagement framework which would improve the consultation process with all affected stakeholders in each project including this one.
Details: www.joburg.org.za
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