The intersection of Richard and Bushwillow roads in Broadacres has undergone a full cycle of upgrades this year, and the final piece of the puzzle is now being completed on Bushwillow Road: the installation of speed humps and new curbing to curb dangerous speeding.

Earlier in the year, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) carried out major revamps on the road after it became riddled with potholes, pipe leaks, and damaged signage.

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Road markings had faded, traffic signs were bent or missing, and the surface itself had deteriorated badly, so much so that it became dangerous to drive and caused traffic congestion.

The repairs brought much-needed relief to motorists, but one problem remained. Motorists continued to speed through the stretch bordering Fourways Gardens Estate, often losing control and crashing into the estate’s boundary wall on Bushwillow Road.

According to Ward 94 councillor David Foley, vehicles have smashed through the wall ‘three or four times,’ putting both residents and drivers at risk.

He said to address this ongoing danger, the Fourways Gardens management team approached his office for assistance in facilitating safety measures.

Also read: It’s illegal to fix a pothole yourself

“I assisted the estate navigate the city processes, including petitions, wayleave applications, and site inspections, which took nearly a year to finalise.”

Foley said his involvement included multiple submissions, resubmissions, and even accompanying Fourways Gardens representatives to the JRA depot in Midrand to resolve administrative delays.

“Once all approvals were in place, the JRA engineer conducted a site inspection and confirmed that speed humps were possible given the slope and layout of the road.”

However, installing speed humps was not a simple process. “This is because Richard and Bushwillow roads [intersection] has no curbing on either side. The engineer insisted that curbing must be installed to prevent drivers from bypassing the speed humps by riding onto the shoulder or grass.”

The curbing is now being placed alongside the humps as part of the final phase of the project. Warning signs and chevron boards have already gone up, and workers have begun painting the speed humps, although progress slowed briefly due to recent rains.

Foley said he will be monitoring completion. He added that Fourways Gardens is funding the project in full, while he provided facilitation through city channels.

“The city doesn’t usually have a budget for speed humps unless they’re outside schools, hospitals, or churches. Where neighbourhoods can afford it and follow the correct process, the JRA provides the specifications and oversight.”

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