M1 rehabilitation project approaches its final stages

05 May 2017

 

The countdown to the completion of construction work on the M1 freeway between Oxford and Federation bridges in Johannesburg has begun.

 

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport Cllr Nonhlanhla Makhuba announced that the R127-million project to rehabilitate the stretch of the freeway was 75% complete, with most of the underground conditions on the southbound section having been filled and stabilised.

The freeway carries more than 80 000 commercial, private and public transport vehicles daily.

The project will enter its final stages in early May, with a lane switchover and new traffic implications for road users, according to JRA Managing Director Sean Phillips.

MMC Makhuba said JRA, the City of Johannesburg’s roads and stormwater infrastructure provision and maintenance entity, was committed to providing accessible quality roads that not only made it easier for road users to move around but also contributed to the city’s economic growth.

“This is a heart-warming moment. This is where we get to see the wheels of the economy literally turning. Under the leadership of Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba, we are committed to achieving 5% economic growth and reducing unemployment among the residents of Johannesburg,” said Cllr Makhuba.

She said a high-quality road network was an essential element of a prosperous and thriving city able to attract much-needed investment.

She said the state of Johannesburg’s roads and the infrastructure network was among the City’s top list of priorities. The MMC said before investors took decisions on their investments in a city, region or country, they always wanted inquired about the quality of available infrastructure. 

The MMC said she was impressed with the work that had been done so far. However, she warned motorists to expect more traffic disruptions as the project entered its final stages.

“I am requesting road users to continue being patient with us because this project is going to benefit all of us,” said Cllr Makhuba. 

Phillips said dozens of vehicles exited the Oxford Road off ramp during the morning peak hour.

He said these vehicles would be affected during the last phase of the construction as the off-ramp on the northbound carriageway would be closed.

Phillips added that the application of protective coatings was also under way and work would now move to the northbound section of the M1, necessitating a switchover of lanes.

“At the beginning of the project last year some northbound traffic lanes between Jan Smuts and Oxford roads were closed off, heavily affecting traffic. With the work almost complete in that section, the focus now will be on the southbound lanes,” he explained.

He said the City was grateful to road users who responded positively to the rehabilitation process over the past year by adjusting their travel times and traffic patterns, making use of advertised alternative routes and public transport.

According to JRA Head Engineer Esther Schmidt, from May two lanes in each direction – south- and northbound – will remain open on the freeway.

The southbound Ettrick Road on-ramp will be reopened, while the northbound Oxford Road off-ramp will be closed.