Traffic congestion is a thing of the past following the newly constructed continuous flow intersection at the R21 Expressway.
This development is aimed at improving traffic flow in the area, especially from the Albertina Sisulu Highway/R23 through Benoni Road.
The road along this intersection had to be improved to accommodate future development as big businesses and other developments, including residential areas, are mushrooming.
City of Ekurhuleni’s divisional head for functional planning, Barend Deminey, said research revealed that the intersection was going to be too clogged with traffic when all the proposed developments in the area are complete.
“This road will now be able to accommodate the traffic of the new logistics companies and residential developments,” said Deminey.
The CoE’s executive mayor, Clr Mzwandile Masina, said during his visit to the intersection last Thursday that the development of this road was the contribution of government towards economic development and a better life for the people across the city.
This intersection comes after the CoE built a water reservoir and the electricity substation in the vicinity.
“These are important things investors look for in an area where they invest. As Ekurhuleni, we are working on assuring that our city encourages investments,” said Masina.
According to Themba Gadebe, metro spokesperson, the expressway is expected to attract approximately R25-billion capital investment and about 136 000 jobs during the construction phase.
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This will create a GDP contribution of approximately R20-b. During the operation phase, 118 000 jobs are expected to be created generating approximately R33-b in business activities.
Masina called on the investors to prioritise locals when employing people. He said that though companies have a right to get the skills from other areas, they should also consider local skills.
It is no secret that the pandemic has had a negative impact on the economy and Masina told Express that such developments contribute towards rebuilding local economies.
“We, as government, are doing everything possible to ensure that economic development remains a priority.
“These factories were not here a few years ago, meaning that the land was vacant, so now these factories will have to use our electricity and sewer network among other things,” explained Masina.
“Municipal finances, after Covid-19, showed that we lost R1.5-b which is not great and no one could have anticipated it. These kinds of developments, when properly nurtured and managed, should be able to help us develop our economy.
“The community shouldn’t despair as we are doing all we possibly can to rebuild the economy and it is important for all of us to fight crime because if these factories are attacked on a daily basis it will be a problem as they will close down and uproot its operations.”
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