Major roads project to support Belhar CBD renewal

© Jorge-Chaves – za.fotolia.com

The intersections along Symphony Way and Erica Drive will be upgraded and additional lanes constructed to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic in this area with the renewal of the Belhar CBD.

"The city has identified the Belhar central business district as one of the growth areas in the city where investment from the private and public sector has the potential to unlock a number of opportunities to the local community. The city is responsible for the provision of services in support of all new developments – be it public or private. As such, Transport for Cape Town (TCT), has now embarked on a major roads project to ensure that the main transport arteries in Belhar will be able to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic as the CBD houses more businesses and housing developments in the near future," said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town, Councillor Brett Herron.

The on-site preparatory work has been concluded and the physical roadworks are expected to commence shortly.

"We will spend approximately R20m on this project which is to be completed by the end of December this year if all goes according to plan. The upgrading of Erica Drive and Symphony Way is a mammoth task and we will therefore conduct it in five phases, starting off with Symphony Way," said Herron.

Up to 10 intersections along Symphony Way and Erica Drive will be upgraded, inclusive of the widening of the road and the construction of additional lanes. The affected intersections are as follows:

• Symphony Way and Robert Sobukwe Drive
  
• Symphony Way and East Drive
  
• Symphony Way and Proton Road
  
• Symphony Way and Carmen End
  
• Symphony Way and Erica Road
  
• Symphony Way and Stellenbosch Arterial Road (M12)
  
• Erica Road and Kern Crescent
  
• Erica Road and Power Street
  
• Erica Road and Chestnut Way
  
• Erica Road and Stellenbosch Arterial Road (M12)

"The sidewalks will be relocated and new stormwater infrastructure will be installed to accommodate the widening of the roads. Furthermore, we will create traffic islands at the intersections, which will improve the safety of road users in general," said Herron.

Broadly speaking, the roadworks along Symphony Way will be carried out between May and October 2016, and the roadworks along Erica Drive from August until December 2016.

"Local subcontractors from Belhar stand to benefit from contracts to the value of about R100,000. We also intend to employ local labour and the value of these short-term job opportunities will amount to an estimated R100,000. The residents from Belhar will thus benefit from the investment in road infrastructure in terms of improved service delivery and business opportunities," said Herron.

The roadworks will take place between 7:30am and 5:30pm on weekdays, between 7:30am and 2pm on Saturdays, and occasionally during the evening.

Both Erica Road and Symphony Way will be open to traffic during the roadworks, however, road users should expect some delays and are advised to use alternative routes where possible.

Road users can contact the Transport Information Centre on 0800656463 for more information.