New road east of Pretoria to benefit ratepayers
13-10-2023
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The Citizen
Source
Hazeldean Boulevard is expected to alleviate significant traffic congestion in the Hazeldean area as it provides a northern exit point to Bronkhorstspruit Road, while Riverwalk residents may exit to Lynnwood Road.
Ratepayers can now reap a few benefits of the Balwin Properties bulk infrastructure agreement with Tshwane after a new R94- million road in the east of Pretoria was handed over to the metro.
Hazeldean Boulevard links Mamelodi and Silver Lakes and is expected to take significant pressure off Silverlakes Road.
The handover of the newly completed dual carriageway took place on October 6 as part of a special infrastructure project work with the government.
It is part of the 62 strategic integrated projects (SIPs) gazetted in July 2022 in which the government would install bulk infrastructure and Balwin build apartments, and lifestyle centres as well as upgrade roads and other public amenities.
The total employment impact of these bulk infrastructure projects is estimated to be R718-million and will create approximately 2 009 direct and indirect job opportunities.
Tshwane had facilitated the approval of works such as zoning and the provision of water, wastewater, and energy bulk infrastructure.
The R94-million road forms part of the bulk infrastructure to the value of R415-million that Balwin is set to implement in the Tshwane node. This includes a water reservoir at La Montaque.
The Mooikloof Mega City stretch of land is to be set up with bulk water and sewer upgrades, as well as road and bulk electrical upgrades.
Balwin Properties CEO Steve Brookes said the group was proud that it was able to give back through quality development beyond its construction boundaries.
“We have a proud track record of developing beyond our fence line, and benefitting the communities in which we operate.”
He said Silverlakes Road was often pressured with traffic and the newly developed route would alleviate the bumper-to-bumper congestion.
He said according to location technology company Tom Tom’s latest traffic index, Pretoria ranks as South Africa’s most congested metro, with an average of 145 hours or six days spent in rush hour per year, 16 minutes per 10km of driving.
“I’m proud to hand over this important piece of infrastructure to Tshwane, as part of our ongoing commitment in terms of the SIP works gazetted by the government some time ago.”
He said the roadway would significantly alleviate traffic congestion in the Hazeldean area, east of Pretoria.
Tshwane mayor Cllr Cilliers Brink said as a local government, partnership with the private sector was welcome.
This as the metropolitan is going through a financial crunch.
“We’re simply not going to be able to build the infrastructure to generate the electricity without very direct involvement of the private sector, and without creating the mechanisms that give the private sector and investors some measure of assurance that their money will be well spent.”
He said the road would benefit ratepayers and motorists, essentially by relieving a great deal of traffic congestion in the area.
“I wish to thank our partners in the private sector for their contribution to our shared infrastructure.”
Hazeldean Boulevard spans 3km and includes an underpass at the N4 highway, linking Ridge Road in Hazeldean to Lagoon Drive in Riverwalk.
It provides Hazeldean residents with a northern exit point to Bronkhorstspruit Road, and Riverwalk commuters with a southern exit point to Lynnwood Road.”
The road created approximately 658 direct and indirect job opportunities through the construction phase.
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