Construction is soon to begin on two inner city streets as Rea Vaya moves ahead on its plan to provide a comprehensive public transport network in Johannesburg.

Constructing a Rea Vaya station

MOTORISTS driving into the inner city will soon notice construction work on Rissik and Harrison streets, and have been advised to find alternative routes.

Construction of Rea Vaya infrastructure on the two streets will take about 12 months, but is crucial in helping to cut traffic congestion in the long term, boosting public transport.

Upgrading the streets was discussed at a public meeting held by Rea Vaya, Nemai Consulting and the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) at the Braamfontein Conference and Recreation Centre on Tuesday, 18 January.

Three stations will be built on the streets to integrate with the Gautrain and Park stations, according to the JDA development manager, Vuyiswa Voyi. "This will enable public transport to run smoothly, linking key greater areas in the city," said Voyi.

A total cost of R53, 41 million has been allocated towards the construction of the infrastructure.

The Bus Rapid Transit route between Rissik and Harrison streets is intended to join up with the Rea Vaya route around Metro Loop and then along Joubert Street and left into Empire Road. This route will form part of Phase 1B which goes along Empire Road through suburbs such as Auckland Park, Westdene, Westbury, Bosmont and Noordgesig.

The Rissik and Harrison street lanes will also link up with the existing Rea Vaya BRT route that goes to Thokoza Park in Soweto.  When completed, users will be able to link easily from this route to the Park Station complex.

Most of the construction work will comprise upgrading the existing layer works in the median for the BRT lanes, relocation of existing services, installation of new lights and widening of the road where stations are located.

"During construction Rissik will be reduced to two lanes, at no point during construction will the street be closed," said Voyi.

Signs would be put up along affected routes to help motorists get to their destinations, and the contractors would provide motorists access to buildings along the affected streets.

"This project is pivotal to our aim of alleviating traffic congestion by building and strengthening our public transport network in the city," she said. "We will do our best to make sure that everyone is accommodated during this period."

Construction will take place along the following sections in the inner city:

• Rissik Street, from the pavements along Rissik Street bridge to Smit and Station streets;
• Plein Street, from Harrison to Rissik streets;
• Rissik Street, from Commissioner to Plein streets; and
• Harrison Street, from Commissioner to Plein streets

"Some sections of the route will be reconstructed to correct road profile or provide adequate pavement layers."

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