The R50 million newly-constructed Randfontein-Tarlton road has officially been opened in the West Rand District Municipality.

The 7.9 km stretch consists of a two-lane single carriageway between Randfontein and the R24 that connects Mogale City, Tarlton and Rustenburg.

“The road serves as the Randfontein western bypass and is a relatively high mobility, rural road moving large volumes of people and agricultural goods. It links Randfontein to the R24, which in turn is a major arterial route between Mogale City and Rustenburg,” explains Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi.

Vadi hopes that the road will support the rural economy and facilitate ease of mobility between Gauteng and the North West Province.

 

Why the upgrade?

“[The road] was in a very poor condition due to the dolomitic nature of the area and the formation of sinkholes. There were lots of potholes and with over 1 000 cars and trucks using it on a daily basis, it posed as a major risk to motorists and pedestrians in the area,” he said.

The project upgraded the road to a 9.4 m-wide surfaced road with a storm water system, which can accommodate a 1-in-25 year flood occurrence.

During the construction phase, the project created employment opportunities for 111 persons, 81 of whom were young people. It was also linked to a basic training programme related to road maintenance and construction and a local economic empowerment component involving four contractors.