Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi, this week announced that his department has received approval from the provincial department responsible for environmental authorisations for the construction of a new road linking Nirvana Drive (Lenasia) to the N12 near Zuurbekom.
He indicated that the proposed route coming from the railway station in the Lenasia CBD along Nirvana Drive (west) will cross over the railway line and link with the upgraded N12 freeway.
“This decision will bring great relief to motorists travelling from Soweto, Azaadville, Westonaria, Randfontein and Krugersdorp to Lenasia and to the local business community, which previously was aggrieved by the closure a few years ago of the old railway crossing near the Lenasia Railway Station due to safety considerations,” said Vadi.
Currently, thousands of motorists are using the Dr Abubakr Asvat Drive as the primary gateway to Lenasia creating severe traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours and on Saturdays when funeral processions are taking place.
Vadi said that Department of Agriculture and Rural Development recently had approved the environmental impact assessment report, which has cleared the way for the building of the new road.
He added that the roads department is currently in the process of appointing consultants to do the designs for the new road and that the actual construction is planned for 2018.
Meanwhile, it is believed that the provincial housing department is in the process of planning a major housing development project near Syferfontein, west of Lenasia.
