Gauteng Transport MEC Joseph Mamabolo has outlined plans for a new freeway to boost the logistics sector in the province.
Speaking during his recent provincial budget speech, Mamabolo said that the development of a second major freeway and road corridor would support the province’s vision for a large logistics hub near the OR Tambo International Airport (Ortia). He said he had met City of Ekurhuleni officials and developers who had invested time, money and expertise to develop the city around the airport.
“We traced the roads projects that are at the design stage at OR Tambo International Airport, where there is a vision for growing more capacity for the airport. We made our way through tracing the path of the planned PWV15 that will serve as a second major freeway supporting the airport, all the way through to N12, N17, N3 and the planned Tambo Springs Freight and Logistics Hub,” Mamabolo said.
“The developments in this corridor, the vision for expansion at the airport, and the vision for a large freight and logistics hub will bring many more people the kind of connections that are needed to have access to opportunity and to grow the economy.”
He said his department had recommitted to building the critical roads to support the vision for the transport corridor and smart mobility.
His department would continue with the design of K90 to support the Ortia expansion project, he added.
“The department will also appoint a professional service provider to design the first phase of the PWV15 from R21 to N12. The department will also support the development of the Tambo Springs Freight Hub and will make efforts to unblock the challenges the project faces in the construction of the K148.”
He listed the following projects which are currently in the process of being implemented:
• K217 from K8 (R566) to K4 (Ruth First) Phase 1: Rosslyn Hub (land acquisition) and the Design of K217 from P230-1 to N4 (approximately 11km)
• 54 Phase 2 the Design for construction of expressway from PWV17 to N4 to R21, K60 from K58 (D51) (Allandale Road) (M39) to K117 (Andrew Mapheto) in Tembisa Design, K97 Section 3 from Lindfield Road -Wonderboom Airport southwards to Wonderboom (K14) for the Pyramid Freight Hub,
• K90 North from R21 Interchange to Elgrin Road Design.
He said his department was partnering with the private sector to construct infrastructure in the province.
“In this financial year the department will enter into a partnership to redesign the Grayston Drive /M1 interchange to improve traffic flow. The department will also design and construct the Craddlestone interchange, the K14 Rainbow Junction bridge over the Apies River, and the Vaal River Interchange,” he said.
R668 million has been allocated towards maintenance from the Provincial Roads Maintenance Grant.
“The department will maintain 34 roads in Emfuleni as part of the efforts to improve road conditions in the district. The department will also be continuing with the Smart Mobility weekends maintenance programme on Saturdays and Sundays to patch potholes, repair surface defects, cut grass, repair road signs, and clear drainage. This is over and above the day-to-day roads maintenance programme that happens during the week,” Mamabolo said.
