/ 10 October 2008

Plea for patience during Jo’burg road construction

Johannesburg residents have been asked to be patient during the improvement of roads around the city.

Johannesburg City councillor Rehana Moosajee said it was important to know that construction was being done to improve public transport and that there would be congestion during construction.

”The bulk of work is being done on weekends and at night,” she said.

The council was continuing consultation with metro police to manage traffic accommodation during the building times.

Moosajee said that as the city, and indeed the province, looked forward to improved public transport, a level of patience was needed and she asked residents of Johannesburg and Gauteng to bear with the frustration in view of a better public transport system.

Two lanes would be open on Commissioner Street at all times to accommodate traffic, she added.

Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) spokesperson Conel Mackay said there would be minimal disruption to traffic during the day.

On Friday DA Public works deputy spokesperson John Moodey called on the JRA and other construction companies to work at night so that traffic could flow freely during the day in central Johannesburg.

He said Commissioner Street, between Simmonds and Rissik streets, was closed despite the JRA’s promise that two lanes would remain open at all times.

”This is a main arterial running from east to west, and although there are traffic officers directing traffic, one has to realise that when they are here they aren’t available to fulfil other functions such as dealing with accidents and by-law enforcement,” he said.

”This road being closed must also impact on the businesses in the area not to mention the economy of the city,” he added. — Sapa