SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF THE K154 IN MIDVAAL 19 September 2013 It gives me great pleasure to come again to Midvaal in Sedibeng to open yet another road upgraded by the ANC government in Gauteng. The construction of the K154 at a cost of a little over R20 million demonstrates that this ANC government works for a better life for all, irrespective of who controls the local authority and that in many ways – big and small - it contributes to economic growth and development. Earlier this year we opened the Cayman Road providing access to the Eye of Africa Development. Just last month we officially opened Phase 1 of the R82. The upgrade of Cayman Road showcased the Department’s internal construction capacity as it was completed entirely by our Roads Branch. During the construction of Phase 1 of the R82 at a cost of R182 million, we created 200 jobs, particularly for young people and women, and outsourced work to 13 local SMMEs. That is a superb piece of work. No accidents have been recorded on the upgraded sections of the dual carriageway and residents from Roshnee, who use that road daily, say that it has reduced travel times to Johannesburg during peak hours by 20 minutes. The Gauteng provincial government has an asset base of 5000km of paved roads and 1500km of gravel roads. Of the paved network, 70 percent is in a good condition. Over the last three years we placed great energy and resources into improving the remaining 30 percent that is not in a good condition. It’s not very often now that you read about potholes on our provincial roads. Today, we add another one kilometre to our road network. A cynic might be tempted to ask, “So what? What’s the big deal?” Such a person should be reminded that sometimes in life a big change starts with a small step. The K154 is such a single step. It provides critical access to the Graceview industrial development and will facilitate further economic development in the area. This is another example of ANC government investment in infrastructure that facilitates economic activity and leads to job creation. As the government continues to lay the infrastructural backbone in roads and ICT networks, we hope that the private sector will follow suit and invest in ventures that lead to sustainable job creation and employment. Unemployment and poverty stand out as two of the biggest challenges confronting our people and it needs a firm compact relationship between the private sector and government to address these two challenges in a determined and sustained manner. It will be recalled that before the Department’s intervention, this was a stretch of dirt road and the makeshift bridge was made up of pipe culverts laid across the stream. Now there is an all-weather surface road and we have built a new portal culvert bridge. This intervention has improved safety and provided access to a developing business node in the area. We are pleased that this project costing R20 million created 18 job opportunities and benefited 5 SMMEs employing 30 people. The ANC’s approach in ensuring continued road mobility in the province is premised on the 25-Year Integrated Transport Master Plan, which calls on us to prioritize the strategic road network. Our aim is to upgrade the major networks that need urgent attention such as the R82 and R28 to ensure continued mobility for our people. Over the next three years, the ANC government – yes, it will be an ANC government - will commit at least a further R900 million in road infrastructure upgrades in Sedibeng. We are committed to completing the entire R82. Phase 2 of the R82 project has already been awarded and we are waiting for the contractor to take site once he has provided us with the necessary guarantees. During this phase the ANC government will upgrade the 5km from Walkerville to De Deur at the cost of R260 million. I have the pleasure in announcing that the Department will soon call for tenders to upgrade the last stretch of 11km of the R82 from De Deur to Emfuleni. Plans are also at an advanced stage to upgrade the K164 between Werpner Street and Wellbach Road towards Meyerton and the R28 from Emfuleni to Randfontein. These interventions by the ANC government will yield an improved road network in this region and enhance mobility, stimulate economic growth and support agricultural development. I am aware of Council plans to promote the R59 as a development corridor. The 25-Year Integrated Transport Master Plan released by the Department for comment supports the upgrading of the R59 as it links development nodes situated at regular intervals, particularly at Everite, Daleside, Hibury, Henley-on-Klip and Meyerton. The R59 northern section, which runs through Alberton, carries traffic volumes of 54 000 vehicles daily and the section of the R59 which runs through Midvaal carries 36 000 vehicles per day. Indications are that these traffic volumes will increase over time. The R59 is suitable for corridor development. It holds opportunities for commercial and tourism development, which could be enhanced through a corridor development concept. Currently, there exists multi-modal transportation facilities such as the freeway, a railway line and K89 that supports freight and passenger transport services; and there are no physical or economic aspects impeding corridor development. A corridor development along the R59 naturally can link Midvaal to Johannesburg and Alberton/Ekurhuleni, and to Emfuleni and Vanderbijlpark. This corridor is suitable for heavy industries; large-scale manufacturing; commercial, retail and urban residential uses, and agricultural production. The Klip River should be earmarked as the main open space system and be protected. This, coupled with residential development, has the potential to develop the Midvaal into a prime economic development node in the near future. Irrespective of what the outcome of the Municipal Demarcation process might yield, we must champion the R59 corridor development, as it is the right thing to do. It will benefit all our people and business. The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is more than ready to support the initiatives for growth and development led by business and the municipal authorities in this region. We look forward to a constructive and strengthened partnership with all of you so that we can better the lives of all our people. Ismail Vadi MEC for Roads and Transport
Posted on: Thu, 19 Sep 2013 10:43:07 +0000
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