Pretoria - The construction of an iconic dedicated walking and cycling bridge across the M1 near the Grayston off-ramp was celebrated with an official sod turning ceremony by the City of Johannesburg on Wednesday.
The pedestrian and cycling bridge is part of a 5-km dedicated cycling and walking path from Alexandra township, north of Johannesburg, into the heart of the wealthy Sandton CBD.
The project is part of the Rea Vaya infrastructure project, which seeks to transform walking, cycling and public transport in the northeast of the city.
This project in turn is part of the city’s programme to implement ‘Corridors of Freedom’ – a ground breaking initiative to concentrate development along key corridors.
The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) will, on behalf of the city, implement the bridge at a cost of R130 million.
The bridge was designed by Royal Haskoning DHV and the construction contractor is Murray & Roberts.
Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for Transport, Christine Walters, said: “In the future, Johannesburg will consist of well-planned transport arteries – the Corridors of Freedom – linked to interchanges where the focus will be on mixed-use development.
“Johannesburg residents will then not have to use private motorised transport but can opt for alternative modes on dedicated safe routes, which include cycling, bus lanes and pedestrian walkways.
“The dedicated walk and cycle ways will be built according to the city’s recently approved complete street policy and guidelines.”
Walters believes that the benefit of this project will far outweigh the inconvenience to commuters during the 18-month construction phase.
“The bridge will provide safe and convenient pedestrian and cyclist access between Sandton and Alexandra. It literally bridges the gap between two communities with opposite economic backgrounds, while creating a visual gateway into the economic hub of our country,” she said.
JDA Chief Executive Officer Thanduxolo Mendrew said: “This project was initiated after a transport study indicated that as many as 10 000 pedestrians walked to and from Alexandra to employment in Sandton each day.”
MMC for Development Planning Roslyn Greeff, who is responsible for oversight over the JDA, said: “Construction of the bridge commenced this month and is planned to be completed by October 2016.
“Work on the sidewalks and cycle lanes linking to the bridge started in June 2014, and is currently under way. To ensure universal access, the pedestrian walk way will have no steps or similar barriers.”
Safety first
Safety has been an important priority in the design of the bridge. It will have 3m-wide cycle and pedestrian walkways separated by barriers from vehicles once reaching the road.
Concrete bollards will be utilised on curves preventing access by private vehicles.
Street lighting, pedestrian pause points, hawker stalls and CCTV cameras will be provided along the route.
The design accommodates energy efficiency and green building methods by using solar powered LED lighting and the planting of trees and shrubs that require low maintenance.
MMC for Public Safety Sello Lemao said: “The City is in the process of investigating various initiatives in order to formalise the management of the overall safety of this important project.”
The dedicated walking and cycling path starts at Number 3 Square in Alexandra, follows Roosevelt Street, Watt Street over Louis Botha Ave, along Rautenbach Street onto the new bridge across the M1 highway (alongside the existing Grayston interchange), along Grayston Drive, onto Katherine Street, along Linden Street, into Maud and terminating at the corner of Maud and 5th Street. - SAnews.gov.za
