One of the City of Joburg’s most significant infrastructure developments, in terms of scope and scale, has received an entry into the 2022 Fulton Awards.The awards is a programme which recognises and honours excellence and innovation in the use of concrete in southern Africa.
The construction of the Watt Interchange, which lies on the Louis Both Development Corridor, saw 100 000 cubic metres of earthworks materials moved and 13 000m² of shotcrete undertaken, making it a stellar entry for the 2022 awards.
The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), on behalf of the Transport Department in the City, implemented the construction of the Watt Interchange as an artery for the enablement of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System Phase 1C trunk route operation.
The Watt Interchange forms part of the Rea Vaya operations from Sandton to Alexandra, along Rivonia Road and Katherine Drive, and the trunk route from Parktown to Alexandra, along Louis Botha Avenue.
Once operational, the Watt Interchange will stand as a high-quality integrated public transport interchange, consisting of the following key elements:
- Underground basement loading and off-loading bays
- Commuter Information Area
- Designated trunk route
- Universally accessible facility.Construction work at the Watt Interchange included demolition of the previous bridge and the interchange at Watt Street, upstand concrete beams, allocation and relocation of services, construction decks and retaining wall construction.
The Watt Interchange is in Region E between Alexandra and Sandton from Arkwright Avenue to Chadwick Avenue, along Old Pretoria Road.
“We are excited to receive the honour as an entry for the 2022 Fulton Awards. The Watt Interchange is another example of how the JDA manages and facilitates developments efficiently. The innovation of Watt Interchange is an equitable, sustainable and resilient city,” said Siyabonga Genu, the acting CEO at JDA.
The City of Joburg’s Transport Department is the ultimate custodian of the infrastructure to enable the functionality of the BRT Rea-Vaya system, an investment in conjunction with the National Department of Transport. This is to realise the overall objectives of providing the required public transport facilities to South African citizens.
Facts about the Watt Interchange project:
- Earthworks included over 100 000 cubic metres of materials moved
- 18km of ground anchors, 10km of soil nails, and 13 000m² of shotcrete installed.
- One of the City of Joburg’s most significant and complex infrastructure developments in terms of scope and scale
- The project included the construction of new BRT lanes and underground stations.
Previous JDA projects which have won a Fulton Award include the Nelson Mandela Bridge and the Constitutional Court of South Africa.
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