Parking and walkway project near east mall to finish by 2025

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29-08-2024
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The Citizen Online
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According to the metro, the project has experienced delays due to the approval of wayleaves taking longer than anticipated.

A safer and more convenient bus park and pedestrian walkway continue to elude Tshwane residents as the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) construction near Menlyn Mall on Garsfontein and Atterbury roads suffers delays.

The promise of a safer transport experience lingers in the air, with pedestrians having to wait till December 2025 to safely navigate the Pretoria east gigantic mall.

The much-anticipated implementation of the BRT system, accompanying pedestrian walkway and bus park were supposed to be finished already. However, construction delays have hampered progress for several years now.

The delays have compounded into a frustrating reality for the many pedestrians who endure the daily grind of navigating congested, often hazardous Pretoria streets.

The Tshwane metro said the expected completion date for the bus park and pedestrian walk is now December 2025.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the project has experienced delays because the approval of wayleaves has taken longer than was anticipated.

“Unforeseen existing services that required relocation have also been an obstacle, as well as the adverse weather conditions that impacted construction progress,” Mashigo said.

He said for the safety of residents, the metro has considered installing additional traffic signals, crosswalks, or other safety measures where necessary to ensure pedestrian safety.

The metro has considered alternative solutions and is currently designing the Denneboom Depot to address bus park needs, he said.

According to Mashigo, the metro is engaging stakeholders through a process in which the local councillor and Community Liaison Officer (CLO) are actively involved in addressing concerns and finding solutions that benefit all parties.

“The metro has developed and implemented an approved traffic accommodation plan, which is being monitored and enforced on site to ensure the safety of both pedestrians and vehicles.”

He said despite the delays, no additional budget has been allocated.

“There is no additional budget allocated to this project, the original budget will cover all necessary expenses until the project is fully completed.”

On the other hand, Line 2b maintenance (Work Package WP2) from the Lynnwood Road and Justice Mahomed Street intersection commenced in June.

Mashigo said the maintenance involves the renewal of the existing infrastructure to extend its lifespan.

This will save the city rebuilding cost since the upgrades support BRT development, he said.

“This will improve the safety of both passengers and pedestrians. It will also improve the riding quality for commuters,” said Mashigo.

He said there was a need to resurface the existing road infrastructure to bring it back to its original condition so it would be able to carry the bus traffic and enhance the level of service.

Mashigo said the upgrade to the BRT intersections is an extension of ongoing operations between the Pretoria CBD, Hatfield and Menlyn en route to Denneboom.

“There won’t be any closure of the road sections since the contractor will be working on the side of the road. However, lane reduction might be necessary.”

The metro will also ensure continuous access to all adjacent properties.