Suburban roads in the north western parts of Johannesburg are being reconstructed to upgrade surfaces and improve drainage systems prior to the start of the summer raining season.
According to the Johannesburg Roads Agency(JRA), most of the road work will not have a material impact on traffic patterns in the City – with the exception of a section of William Nicol Drive where road works will start tomorrow and continue over the next four weeks.
The MDof the Johannesburg Roads Agency, Dr Sean Phillips, says it is important that the rehabilitation of the roads and storm water take place at this stage. The work primarily consists of new asphalt surfaces as well as road rehabilitation and repairs to kerbs.
“Many of the established roads in suburbs are given a new lease on life,” says Dr Phillips. “New surfaces, better drainage and improved road safety measures will benefit the local communities and facilitate access to homes, community facilities and shopping areas in the region.”
The R16,3-million projects forms part of the JRA’s larger programme to rehabilitate, reconstruct and resurface the City’s suburban roads. An assessment undertaken by the JRA in 2013 indicated that more than 25% of the 13 428km road network managed by the JRA had deteriorated due to insufficient maintenance, increased traffic and ageing.
A 10-year city-wide Roads Development Programme was then launched to repair pavement layers, strengthen the road structures and upgrade the storm water system.  Work has already started in suburbs such as Bryanston, Fourways and Norscot.
Dr Phillips says the work is undertaken following consultation with communities and ward councillors in the affected suburbs. Traffic management plans are in place and will be communicated to local residents.
The majority of the roads are located in residential areas and will cause only minimal disturbances to local traffic patterns.
However, the work done on William Nicol Drive, between Sloane Street and the N1 freeway, will result in inevitable disruptions. The bulk of construction will take place over the weekends to minimise traffic delays.
Commuters are, however advised to always be aware of the work that is being done, to keep safety in mind and plan for additional time on journeys on and around William Nicol.
Work on the right lanes in both directions will start at 20h00 on Friday 10 June and be completed by Monday 14 June. The left lanes will be affected on the following weekend – 17 June to 20 June – and construction of the middle lanes will be done during the last weekend of the month.
Other roads that are being rehabilitated are:
* Ward 106 – Struben and Hobard Streets in Bryanston and Herbert Road in Peterville.
* Ward 115 – Albatros Drive, Arend and Flamingo Avenues and Plover Street in Fourways and Penguin, Jacana and Turaco Streets in Norscot.
* Ward 32 – Milkway Avenue in Frankenwald.