Road upgrades in Eldoraigne are expected to improve traffic flow and accommodate growing demand on surrounding streets as development continues, although construction will cause temporary inconvenience for residents and motorists.

The upgrades in Ward 69 are linked to infrastructure contributions required for a new shopping centre development near Wierda Road, Saxby Avenue and Lorentz Road.

Ward 69 councillor Cindy Billson said the work includes widening sections of roads, improving intersections and strengthening road surfaces to accommodate increased traffic.

“A traffic circle at the intersection of Saxby Avenue and Lorentz Road will be upgraded, while another traffic circle will be constructed where Lorentz Road meets De Hoeve Road,” she said.

Billson added that sections of Saxby Avenue and Lorentz Road would be widened and reconstructed to withstand heavier traffic loads.

Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the metro received a traffic impact assessment for the development in May 2021, with an initial assessment approved on January 26, 2022, followed by an updated assessment on June 3.

He explained that the assessments considered existing traffic volumes, additional traffic expected from the development, motorists’ routes and the capacity of nearby intersections.

“Bulk infrastructure contributions help address the additional pressure developments place on existing municipal infrastructure. As part of the approval process, the metro assesses whether surrounding roads and other municipal services have sufficient capacity to accommodate a proposed development,” he said.

Where upgrades are required, developers may be instructed to undertake or fund the work through engineering services agreements with the metro.

Mashigo said the approved assessment identified road widening and intersection improvements as necessary. Developers must submit detailed engineering designs for municipal approval before appointing contractors. The metro also conducts inspections during construction and upon completion to ensure compliance with technical standards.

Dedicated lanes for Wierda Road

One improvement concerns the intersection of Wierda Road and Saxby Avenue, where shared lanes accommodating straight-ahead and right-turning vehicles must be separated into dedicated lanes.

Mashigo said separating traffic movements was expected to reduce congestion, improve road safety and ease delays for motorists.

However, residents will need to adjust their routes while construction continues.

According to Billson, Jan Road will be closed to through traffic between Saxby Avenue and Ruimte Road. Through traffic on Lorentz Road will also be affected along the stretch between Saxby Avenue and Jan Road.

She advised motorists to use Saxby Avenue and Ruimte Road as alternative routes and allow additional travelling time, particularly during peak hours.

Billson said the affected roads could reopen between December 15 and 20, once construction restrictions were lifted.

The metro confirmed that the overall road and stormwater infrastructure upgrades were expected to take about six months to complete.

Mashigo added that the metro would inspect the completed infrastructure before formally accepting it and assuming maintenance responsibility.

Resident concerns over congestion

Eldoraigne resident Hazel van Rooyen welcomed the improvements, describing them as necessary to accommodate development and improve traffic flow.

However, she expressed concern about increased traffic, particularly noise and congestion in the neighbourhood.

Van Rooyen said her immediate concerns included road closures, longer travelling times and difficulties accessing homes during construction.

Despite these challenges, she said the development and associated infrastructure improvements could benefit the community and surrounding areas once completed.

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