​Construction work on a long-awaited road improvement project in Oakdale launched in November 2015 after numerous requests were received by residents to have the Raglan Street intersection upgraded. 

The proposal by residents called for traffic calming measures to be installed and was supported by Ward Councillor Brendan Van Der Merwe (Ward 3) who forwarded it to the City’s road engineers for consideration.

The project was duly approved and the upgrades will serve to curb traffic flow from entering the area’s one-way system from the wrong side. The first phase of the project included the painting of road markings to allow motorists to familiarise themselves with the new arrangement.

Work has since begun on the construction of a raised intersection and adjustments to the storm water pipes as well as on the roadside curbs (see photo inset). The total budgeted for the project amounts to R700 000 and it is anticipated that work will be completed by the end of March 2016.

'The community is excited at the prospect of having these improvements made to the road network in the interest of traffic calming and public safety,' said Cllr Van Der Merwe.