M1 double decker rehabilitation to ease traffic congestion caused by flash flooding
This is part of the R100-billion investment in infrastructure over the next decade as announced by the executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg and envisaged in the 2040 Growth and Development Strategy.
THE Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has commenced with rehabilitation and structural repair work on the M1 double-decker bridge which caused extensive traffic congestion following flash flooding earlier this month.
Work on this R82-million project started on Wednesday, January 6, on the M1 overpass bridges – the double decker sections – between Carr and Anderson streets in the city centre. Work includes rehabilitation and structural repairs, asphalt surfacing, expansion joints, drainage systems and new road signs.
“We anticipate that the impact of flash flooding on the double-decker section will be significantly reduced on completion, as the rehabilitation includes drainage improvement and doubling-up of existing drainage infrastructure ensuring the bridge is able to effectively deal with large volumes of storm-water runoff,” said JRA’s, acting managing director, Mpho Kau.
The rehabilitation is part of the city’s R365-million programme to rehabilitate ageing infrastructure and improve road safety on the M1 freeway. Other projects currently underway include the rehabilitation of both Federation and Oxford bridges as well as the reconstruction of the 2km dual carriageway between Rockridge and Federation roads. In addition, the existing 3km stormwater drainage system will be replaced between Rockridge bridge and the Federation Road bridge on the freeway, as well as on Oxford and Federation roads below the freeway.
This is part of the R100-billion investment in infrastructure over the next decade as announced by the executive mayor of the City of Johannesburg and envisaged in the 2040 Growth and Development Strategy.
“The safety of road-users is a priority for the JRA, and maintaining our road infrastructure is an important component of this. High quality roads contribute significantly to economic growth, and making citizens’ lives easier,” said Kau.
The extensive repair work to the M1 will take 18 months to complete. This will mean that Johannesburg motorists will have to budget more time for their travel along this key route. Motorists are encouraged to explore alternate routes and to make use of available public transport services, where possible.
