Rosebank roads get resurfaced

ROSEBANK –  When Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau visited Rosebank in April, he saw the development boom first-hand, and pledged the support of the city council.

The mayor put his money where his mouth is, and it was in Rosebank that Tau launched the city council’s R2 billion road resurfacing project, with Jan Smuts Avenue being the starting point.

Speaking at the project launch, Tau said that when he met with stakeholders in April, they raised concerns about the development in Rosebank and surrounds, and about the quality of road infrastructure, traffic lights and congestion.

“Given that this is an important economic node for the city, we would like to indicate that we would invest in providing good infrastructure to support economic development as well,” he said.

Tau said this would include traffic signals, road resurfacing, road signs, street furniture, and the rapid and safe drainage of storm water. He also suggested the city council engage with residents on the paid parking system.

Ward councillor Tim Truluck welcomed the project, and said he hoped motorists would exercise patience while this major route was resurfaced.

“I think the project is exciting, and the area needs it. I welcome the programme in Johannesburg in general, and in Rosebank in particular, and I think it will go a long way to enhance the suburb in terms of the development taking place here,” said Truluck.

He said the suburb’s roads had been under “tremendous pressure” during the construction of the Gautrain, and that he was glad the roads were “finally being paid some attention”.

The section of Jan Smuts Avenue being resurfaced runs between Jellicoe Avenue and Bolton Road, and from there the Johannesburg Roads Agency would set their sights on several roads within the Rosebank node, possibly including Tyrwhitt and Cradock Avenues.

Truluck added that, while there would be congestion and traffic flow disruption during the resurfacing, the end result would be worth the minor inconveniences.

At the programme launch, Tau touched on the city council’s Complete Streets project, which would “address some of the challenges related to street and road usage”.

“The objective… is to balance… road usage by making provision for pedestrian, traffic and cycle lanes on the major arteries, including the highway network,” said Tau.

Truluck said that, in addition to plans to upgrade Tyrwhitt Avenue, a study was being conducted to determine the feasibilty of a walkway or promenade that would link the Rosebank node with the Zoo Lake eco-precinct.