Johannesburg - The provincial commemoration of the National Youth Day in Gauteng started with the opening of a multi-million rand upgraded Koma Road this morning in Soweto.
National Youth Day is celebrated annually on 16 June to honour the youth for their role in bringing about democracy in South Africa following the events of the 1976 uprisings.
Speaking at the official opening of the road, City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Amos Masondo said the road will improve the lives of people living in Soweto by reducing traffic congestion among other things.
"It is our view that this project will drastically reduce traffic congestion, improve traffic and pedestrian safety, improve street lighting and improve storm water infrastructure," he said.
He said one of the city's proudest achievements in the past seven years was the tarring of roads.
Curbing has also been installed along the length of the road in order to accommodate the new additional lanes.
In line with the greening of Soweto, over R900 000 was spent on the landscaping and a number of trees have been planted along the route.
15 years ago, the entire Koma Road was identified as an arterial route that needed upgrading by the City of Joburg.
The upgrade was divided into three phases which has cost the city over R67 million.
The first phase from Dobsonville to the intersection of Koma and Bendile Roads in Jabulani was upgraded 11 years ago by the Soweto city council.
Phase two, which starts from the intersection of Koma and Bendile to Merafe-Nhlanzane Railway Bridge in Moletsane, was constructed from 2005 and it was completed in 2006.
The third phase which was opened by Mr Masondo starts from Merafe-Nhlanzane Railway Bridge to the intersection of Koma Road and Chris Hani Road, which is the final phase for the upgrading.
Construction at this phase commenced in January last year and was completed this month through a joint venture of two contractors, Aganang Bohle and Lonerock.
This phase covers Molapo, Mapetla, Senaoane, Moroka and Dhlamini, commencing at Kekana Street, 140 metres south of the road over the rail bridge to Chris Hani Road.
The upgraded road has four lanes, two in either direction for its full length from the intersection of Elias Motsoaledi Road to the intersection of Chris Hani Road.
