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CONSTRUCTION WORLD
AUGUST
2017
Three new bridges will connect Sandton Central in a way that
improves transport for the area and forges stronger bonds between
different communities.
“Sandton Central is South Africa’s cosmopolitan centre of trade,
ideas, interaction and lifestyle. Excellent accessibility plays a key
role in this. Ensuring that people can easily come to work, visit,
stay, shop, or be entertained in Sandton Central is something we
take seriously. We strive to provide an exceptional experience,” says
Elaine Jack, city improvement district manager of the Sandton
Central Management District (SCMD), which manages the public
urban spaces of this leading city.
Over 10 000 people walk between neighbouring Alexandra and
Sandton Central every day. The City of Joburg is bringing pro-poor
high-quality public transport that is safe, affordable and reliable to
the people of Alexandra and Sandton. Also, it is making walking and
cycling easier, safer and more convenient.
“We are addressing the ill effects of the past and implementing
programmes that are stitching the city together, ensuring that
economic opportunities and services are closer to the people. This
allows people to live, work, play and pray in a much more cost-
effective and efficient manner,” says Nonhlanhla Helen Makhuba,
MMC for Transport in the City of Johannesburg.
The Marlboro Rea Vaya bus and pedestrian bridge
Almost complete, this bridge is for exclusive use by Rea Vaya
buses and pedestrians. It will launch in September/October 2017.
The bridge is already open for pedestrians. Rea Vaya buses will
have exclusive use of the bridge when the Rea Vaya Phase 1C(a)
operations begin in October 2018. The bridge will make it possible
for buses and pedestrians to move swiftly from Johannesburg CBD
via Wynberg and Alexandra over the M1 and into Sandton Central.
The Grayston pedestrian and cyclist bridge
This non-motorist bridge for walking and cycling is under
construction over the M1 highway at Grayston Drive. It will be
completed by October this year. This bridge will provide a convenient
and safe walking and cycling trip for people moving between
Alexandra, Wynberg and Sandton Central daily. The bridge is part of
a five kilometre dedicated walk and cycle route that starts in No 3
Square in the heart of Alexandra and ends in Sandton Central. The
route also intersects with the Watt Street Rea Vaya station, which is
Building bridges: better links to Sandton Central for everyone
Big inroads are being made improving access for
everyone travelling into, out of and around Sandton
Central, South Africa’s financial hub. Some of the largest
positive impacts have come from building new bridges.
right next to Pan Africa Mall. Thus, it helps people walk safely to this
important station which connects Alexandra with the Joburg CBD
(inner-city) and Sandton Central.
The Zandspruit bridge
Big improvements to this bridge have opened up a former bottleneck
for private vehicles at a very popular access point to Sandton
Central. Widening the Zandspruit Bridge and Katherine Street all
the way to the M1 highway Marlboro Drive off/on ramp has already
improved traffic mobility between Sandton Central and the M1
Marlboro off/on ramp.
ABOVE:
The Grayston pedestrian and cyclist bridge.
BELOW:
The Marlboro Rea Vaya bus and pedestrian bridge.