Gauteng Premier David Makhura recently opened the newly rehabilitated R24 with a symbolic ribbon cutting ceremony and issuing a certificate of completion.
Refilwe Mahlangu of Mogale City Local Municipality’s (MCLM) communications department explained that the Premier and the Gauteng Roads and Transport (GPDRT) MEC, Jacob Mambolo, hyped up Transport Month by handing over the certificate for the R24 road that was fixed from the Magaliesburg CBD to the municipality’s premises.
The much-awaited certificate was presented to the MCLM Executive Mayor Francis Makgatho and West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) Executive Mayor Dennis Thabe.
The R4,7 million project was fully funded by the GPDTRT and form part of Gauteng’s Smart Mobility programme. This programme was launched to stimulate investment and growth, initiate new economic sectors, and transform the connection of rural communities to urban centres around the province.
While addressing residents and stakeholders the premier said that piece of rehabilitated road would provide access to economic and social opportunities for the Magaliesburg community, adding that it would improve the mobility of people, freight and services in the province as well as improve vehicle accessibility to various parts of the province.
By doing all this work we are delivering on the commitment made to the people of Gauteng that a lot of work will be done to upgrade and maintain our key road networks,” he said.
Refilwe explained that the programme started on June 15 and was supposed to take six weeks but finished ahead of time on July 20.
The rehabilitation included upgrading storm water pipes from 300mm to 600mm, and kerb inlets; the installation of subsurface drains; as well as a 200mm drainage layer. The pavement was rebuilt and strengthened, and heavy-duty road repairs, resurfacing and road markings were done on the section of road between Wimpy and the bridge.
She added that this project also yielded job opportunities for the community of Ward 31, and the security services were provided by a local security company. Some of the materials used for the project was also procured from local small, medium and micro enterprises.
In the past this sectionr of the R24 had experienced flooding during heavy rains, and high traffic volumes during peak times would lead to congestion in the mornings and afternoons.
