Council denies approving road closure
Contrary to information received from the developer of the Springs Mall, the Ekurhuleni Metro has denied claims it approved the closure of Jan Smuts Road, in Lodeyko.
The road will reportedly be closed due to the construction of the mall.
According to metro spokesman Themba Gadebe, the municipality is, at this stage, in the process of finalising a report to obtain approval for the realignment of Jan Smuts Road.
In a media release received last Thursday, however, the developer states “the road realignment was workshopped with the Ekurhuleni Metro and the mall’s developers.”
They claim a traffic impact assessment study was done, which formed the foundation for the agreement design of the road, “which was then formally approved by council”.
“The road realignment will have far-reaching positive impacts,” says local businessman Franco D’Arrigo.
He adds this includes improvements to intersections, even those not near the mall, such as new turning lanes.
When the Addie visited the site last Thursday, pamphlets were distributed to motorists informing them of the temporary road closure.
It is not clear when the road will be closed, but the upgrades will include the removal of the dangerous bend in the road.
Clearly defined road signs will be visible and the road will be ready for use in September.
Road users are requested to be patient during the road upgrade process and are advised to reduce speed, observe the road signs and exercise caution.
The building contractors and mall developers couldn’t supply the Addie with any proof that the metro has approved the road closure.
Selection Park resident Beryl Boright feels the narrow road, which is an extension of Jan Smuts Road, should be altered to make it wider for the extra traffic.
