Gauteng Premier, Ms Nomvula Mokonyane, has given a clear indication that the road improvement projects currently underway in the province will be ready for the 2010 FIFA World Cup event. The premier gave the assurance following the executive committee meeting held at Emoyeni Conference Centre, Johannesburg, on 17 March 2010.
The premier promised that there would be free flow of traffic on provincial roads in the next few months.
“We are confident that in the next few months, traffic on our roads will flow more freely without the congestion and inconvenience that we are currently encountering,” she noted.
She added that the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) has given guarantee that the important parts of its Gauteng Freeway Improvement project would be complete by the end of April 2010. The Gauteng Freeway Improvement project’s work to be completed before the soccer spectacle include the R21 highway with three lanes in both directions as well as the N1 connection to Soweto and other main intersections on the Ben Schoeman (N1) highway.
Premier Mokonyane mentioned other areas that needed attention before the football tournament includes amongst others; disaster management, emergency services, traffic management, hospitality and public safety.
Meanwhile, reacting to threats of a national strike by taxi operators because of concerns surrounding the introduction and subsequent expansion of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, the premier said government will continue to engage the taxi industry. This was “necessary in fulfilling the government’s mandate of providing a safe, efficient and reliable public transport,” she added.
Issued by: Department of Roads and Transport, Gauteng Provincial Government
19 March 2010
Source: Department of Roads and Transport, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.transportandpublicworks.gpg.gov.za/)
