Gauteng Premier David Makhura and MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, today officially opened the William Nicol Drive, which was upgraded at a cost of R422 million.
MEC Vadi said that the upgrading of William Nicol Drive from a single carriageway to a triple carriageway aimed to improve access to Diepsloot, Fourways, Randburg and Tshwane. “This is a high traffic volume road that needed to be upgraded to facilitate ease of mobility in an area that is the focal point of extensive human settlement developments,” said Vadi.
“What is equally important is that the newly constructed road reflects a government policy shift towards ‘complete streets’, which allows for cycling and pedestrian walkways,” he added. “This reflects the provincial government’s commitment to promote safe, non-motorised transport on a popular route for cyclists,” said Vadi.
The old Jukskei River Bridge has been replaced with two new bridges and a new interchange has been built near Erling Street. The Fourways Boulevard has also been upgraded. The upgrading of the road will improve pedestrian traffic safety and result in increased motorised road user capacity. Also, busses and taxi parking bays are located at key intersections along the road.
One third of the multi-million Rand project is funded by the developer, Steyn City Development, while the remainder has been part of the budget of the Gauteng Department Roads and Transport.
The Department indicated that 178 workers were employed on site, of which 109 were from the local communities who received training in courses such as first aid, firefighting, anti-waste management and traffic incident investigations.
The department announced that Phase 2 of the upgrade of William Nicol Drive linking it to the N14 freeway will be launched in this financial year.
Enquiries:
Moses Rabothata
Tel: 011 355 7028
Cell: 084 444 2211
