“We are using the optimization strategy which is basically buses moving through mixed traffic,” said roads and transport MMC Dikeledi Selowa.

“However, we will be upgrading three intersections for buses.”

Selowa said they couldn’t go ahead with the planned lanes without addressing the objections.

“However, if there is a serious uptake with BRT, then the BRT lanes will be necessary.”

She said that BRT was supposed to get people to get to their destinations faster without them getting stuck in traffic.

Intersections that will need upgrades to accommodate buses are Atterbury Road and Justice Mohammed Street; Lynnwood and Atterbury roads; and Lynnwood and University roads.

Designs are currently in place but a contractor needs to be appointed to ensure that services are removed for the metro to upgrade the intersections mentioned above.

This will allow traffic lights to be put in place to ensure traffic flow.

Upgrades to the storm water channel will need to be done before the project can continue. The storm water channel causes floods, which in turn affects businesses.

Construction on this will officially take place once an appointment has been made by the bid adjudication committee (BAC).

“It is still in the tender process, so it will take about 90 days or so,” said Selowa.

When the appointment has been made, the digging and layer works will take about six months.

She said it would be “very difficult” for communities during that time because there will be ongoing construction. Afterwards, it will help with traffic.

An estimated R90-million budget has been allocated for the upgrading of the intersections.

“We’re just upgrading the particular intersections by moving servitudes,” said Selowa.

“Because we are not doing a full BRT, it’s doubtful that we will use even the full allocation used for other BRT projects.”

Selowa also reckoned that since the designs were already in place, the metro would be using even less than the allocated amount.

The construction of this BRT line ties in with the developments of the BRT line on Atterbury Road.

“They will be feeding into each other essentially. Based on the route provided, they’re going to be feeding into each other. It’s a part of the line 2Cextension, which will then, later on, feed into the Mamelodi route as well,” said Selowa.

Previously, the BRT line 2B stalled because of public objections and a pending economic feasibility study.

Thank you for the article REKORD