City undertakes major roads project in support of Belhar CBD renewal

16 May 2016

Transport for Cape Town (TCT), the City’s transport authority, will spend approximately R20 million on the upgrading of Symphony Way and Erica Drive in Belhar as part of the rejuvenation of the Belhar central business district.

The intersections along Symphony Way and Erica Drive will be upgraded and additional lanes constructed to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic in this area with the renewal of the Belhar CBD.

Belhar a key development area

‘The City has identified the Belhar central business district as one of the growth areas in the city where investment from the private and public sector has the potential to unlock a number of opportunities to the local community. The City is responsible for the provision of services in support of all new developments – be it public or private. As such TCT has now embarked on a major roads project to ensure that the main transport arteries in Belhar will be able to accommodate the anticipated increase in traffic as the CBD houses more businesses and housing developments in the near future,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town, Councillor Brett Herron.

The on-site preparatory work has been concluded and the physical roadworks are expected to commence within days.

Phased approach to upgrades

‘We will spend approximately R20 million on this project which is to be completed by the end of December this year if all goes according to plan. The upgrading of Erica Drive and Symphony Way is a mammoth task and we will therefore conduct it in five phases, starting off with Symphony Way,’ said Councillor Herron.

Up to 10 intersections along Symphony Way and Erica Drive will be upgraded, inclusive of the widening of the road and the construction of additional lanes. The affected intersections are as follows:

Symphony Way and Robert Sobukwe Drive
Symphony Way and East Drive
Symphony Way and Proton Road
Symphony Way and Carmen End
Symphony Way and Erica Road
Symphony Way and Stellenbosch Arterial Road (M12)
Erica Road and Kern Crescent
Erica Road and Power Street
Erica Road and Chestnut Way
Erica Road and Stellenbosch Arterial Road (M12)

‘The sidewalks will be relocated and new stormwater infrastructure will be installed to accommodate the widening of the roads. Furthermore, we will create traffic islands at the intersections, which will improve the safety of road users in general,’ said Councillor Herron.

Broadly speaking, the roadworks along Symphony Way will be carried out between May and October 2016, and the roadworks along Erica Drive from August until December 2016.

Boost to local economy

‘Local subcontractors from Belhar stand to benefit from contracts to the value of about R100 000. We also intend to employ local labour and the value of these short-term job opportunities will amount to an estimated R100 000. The residents from Belhar will thus benefit from the investment in road infrastructure in terms of improved service delivery and business opportunities,’ said Councillor Herron.

Construction hours

The roadworks will take place between 07:30 and 17:30 on weekdays, between 07:30 and 14:00 on Saturdays, and occasionally during the evening.

Both Erica Road and Symphony Way will be open to traffic during the roadworks, however, road users should expect some delays and are advised to please use alternative routes where possible.

Road users can phone the Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63 for more information.

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