OR Tambo aerotropolis dream a step closer

Approval has been granted for the creation of an Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) in the area surrounding the OR Tambo International Airport, said Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi. Jack van der Merwe, who oversaw the development of the Gautrain project, has been appointed to lead the initiative of developing the aerotropolis, with air, rail and road networks fuelling economic development. It is envisaged to include a commercial component, hotel, conferences, exhibitions and a residential component. Vadi added that the province would be making major investments in road infrastructure in the coming financial year and these included reconstruction and upgrading of the R55 (Voortreker Road) to a dual carriageway road between Olievenhoutbosch and Pretoria West.