Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, today officially opened the newly constructed Randfontein-Tarlton road, constructed at a cost of R50 million in the West Rand District Municipality.
The 7.9 km stretch consists of a two-lane, single carriageway between Randfontein and the R24 that connects Mogale City, Tarlton and Rustenburg.
"The road serves as the Randfontein western bypass and is a relatively high mobility, rural road moving large volumes of people and agricultural goods. It links Randfontein to the R24, which in turn is a major arterial route between Mogale City and Rustenburg,” said Vadi.
“We hope that it will support the rural economy and facilitate ease of mobility between Gauteng and the North West Province,” he added.
Vadi indicated that he had travelled on this road several times in the past. “It was in a very poor condition due to the dolomitic nature of the area and the formation of sinkholes. There were lots of potholes and with over 1 000 cars and trucks using it on a daily basis, it posed as a major risk to motorists and pedestrians in the area,” he said.
The project upgraded the road to a 9.4 metre wide surfaced road with a storm water system, which can accommodate a 1-in-25 year flood occurrence.
During the construction phase, the project created employment opportunities for 111 persons, 81 of whom were young people. It was also linked to a basic training programme related to road maintenance and construction and a local economic empowerment component involving four contractors.
Vadi said that he was pleased that the project was successfully completed. He reminded local residents that the original contract was terminated due to poor performance by the previous contractor and that the process had to start afresh last year.
For more information, please contact:
Octavia Mamabolo
Tel: 011 355 7300
Cell: 082 316 8666
E-mail: Octavia.Mamabolo@gauteng.gov.za
