Nkhensani Khandlhela from Envirolution Consulting, an environmental consulting company, said the section of Outspan Road that will be upgraded will start at the Ballyclare Drive and Outspan Road junction. It will then stretch to the north-east and will end at Rivonia Road.
“Outspan Road was identified as one of the major feeder roads that connects to Rivonia Road in Morningside,” added Khandlhela.
“Due to the high density of residential properties in Morningside, Outspan Road experiences high traffic congestion during peak hours. It is for such reasons that the roads agency has considered the widening of this section of Outspan Road.”
Bertha Peters-Scheepers, spokesperson for the roads agency, added that the current road capacity on Outspan Road cannot accommodate the increased traffic generated by the surrounding, approved and yet to be approved, developments.
“Through this proposed widening of Outspan Road, the roads agency is responding to the community who identified the congestion and undesirable bridge alignment conditions which cause severe inconvenience and high accident [rates] at the bridge,” she said.
Khandlhela added that a basic assessment process is being conducted to ensure the environmental impact that may be associated with the proposed upgrade is taken into consideration.
Ward 103 councillor Vincent Earp said the focus should rather be on widening Bryanston and Ballyclare drives. “I understand the need to widen Outspan Road, but it is not nearly congested as Bryanston Drive and Ballyclare Drive,” added Earp.
He also said residents who are aware of the plans to widen Outspan Road were concerned by the water pipes under that stretch of road. Earp said even if the widening of Outspan Road is still a proposal, he believes the City will go ahead with their plans of widening the road because the initiative is part of the City’s plan to improve mobility in Sandton.
Interested and affected parties have an opportunity to comment by providing issues of concern and suggestions for enhanced benefits as well as alternatives and to ensure that the competent authority, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, has sufficient information to make a decision on the proposal.
Details: 0861 444 499; 0861 626 222; nkhensani@envirolution.co.za
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