Joburg highway revamp suffers delays – here’s how it will affect you
The Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) has warned motorists in the city that traffic choas in the city around certain parts of its M1 revamp project will continue for 6 months longer than expected.
This is because the project has been delayed by unforseen issues, including “sporadic labour unrest”, “geotechnical complications” and financial difficulties faced by contractors.
The labour unrest occurred between April and August and resulted in a loss of approximately six weeks, while the geotechnical complications have resulted in an extension of the scope of the works, which accounts for the remainder of the extended construction period.
The delays in the Double Decker project have been caused by financial difficulties experienced by the contractor which resulted in the work stopping for a period of approximately four months, the JRA said.
Work expected to be completed on the Double Decker section of the M1 in Joburg by February 2017 has now been pushed back to September 2017 – which will means traffic will be impacted for longer than initially planned.
The Double Decker section of the M1 – between Carr and Anderson streets in the city centre – will see rehabilitation which includes structural repairs, asphalt surfacing, expansion joints, drainage systems and new road signs.
The Federation and Oxford bridges are also undergoing major face-lifts. A 2km section of M1 freeway between Rockridge and Federation Roads is being rehabilitated and the existing storm water drainage system in the area replaced, the JRA said.
On the positive side, the group noted that traffic volumes in the areas affected have decreased as motorists have adapted to the construction, and is currently well below anticipated numbers.
This is how the next phase of the project will impact you:
- From 21 November 2016 to 15 December 2016, Oxford road onramp onto the M1 Southbound will be closed;
- From March 2017 to September 2017 Oxford road offramp from the M1 travelling Northbound will be closed. All M1 traffic between Killarney and St Andrews will be diverted to the southbound carriage way with 2 lanes open to traffic in both directions and separated by a concrete barrier;
- From 30 November 2016 to 15 January 2017 Henry Nxumalo will have one lane temporarily reduced to accommodate rehabilitation on the Double Decker bridges;
- From 22 January 2017 to 12 February 2107 the Double Decker bridge will be reduced by one lane on both carriageways;
- Certain lanes on the Double Decker section as well as the M1 section between Killarney and St. Andrews can be closed during off peak times at night and over weekends to accommodate construction work.
The JRA urged residents and commuters in Joburg to familiarise themselves with the construction dates and alternative routes to avoid getting stuck in traffic.
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