Work will start soon on a pedestrian and cycling bridge that has been planned to cross the M1 highway.
The Great Bridge, a Johannesburg Development Agency project, will offer a quick route for pedestrians and cyclists to move between Alexandra and Sandton. Completion is scheduled for 2017, when users will be able to access the bridge at No 3 Square in Alexandra and walk or cycle across the highway to Linden Street in Sandton.The Great Walk
It has been called the Great Walk in reference to the fact that an average of 10 000 Alex residents walk or cycle the roughly 5km distance between the two regions each day. The City hopes that it will promote the growth of a spatially integrated Johannesburg, as well as encourage a move towards non-motorised forms of transport. New pavements and dedicated cycle lanes are being constructed on Alex’s Alfred Nzo Street, which will link to the bridge from No 3 Square.The upgrade would include street furniture, better lighting and traffic calming measures in the adjacent streets, said Christine Walters, the member of the mayoral committee for transport.
It is part of Phase 1C of the Rea Vaya programme, designed to serve the north-east quadrant of the city linking the central business district with Alexandra, Sandton, Randburg, Greenstone, Ivory Park, Rabie Ridge and Midrand. It will also offer improved linkages to the Gautrain and connect with the Pan African shopping centre on Alex’s Watt Street.
