Johannesburg – Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane has launched the construction of a R300-million road project, which will provide an alternative link between Johannesburg and Vereeniging.
As part of Transport Month commemorations, Mokonyane launched the second phase of the R82 road upgrade that will see the section of road between Eikenhof and Walkerville being constructed into a dual carriageway.
“As the Gauteng provincial government, we regard roads and infrastructure [to be] important, as [it is] the backbone of the economy.
“Roads and infrastructure play an important role in reducing the cost of doing business,” she said.
Addressing engineers, provincial government officials and the media, Mokonyane said the project was expected to create 250 jobs, and would contribute to social cohesion in the area, as it will leave many with new skills as well.
“We are quite excited because this road development project contributes to, amongst others, social cohesion,” she said.
Mokonyane said her vision was to construct roads that will link different regions in the province and to build roads that have multipurpose use, where one road can be used by cyclists, vehicles and pedestrians.
Transport MEC Ismail Vadi said engineers had already concluded the design of the third phase of the project, a longer stretch of the road that is expected to cost R500 million. – SAnews.gov.za
