The Gauteng Province is to upgrade William Nicol Drive up to the N14 freeway for R576 million as part of Gauteng’s infrastructure development plans.

Speaking on Tuesday during the launch of the project, MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi said the multi-million rand road construction project will expand the road capacity and improve mobility and safety on what is an extremely busy arterial road.

The project which is jointly funded by the developer Steyn City Development and the Department of Roads and Transport, is scheduled to be completed by September 2017.

“The K46 will be expanded from a single carriageway road to a dual carriageway in order to improve access and increase mobility to Diepsloot, Fourways, Dainfern and southwards towards Randburg and the N14 freeway.

“Included in the project scope is the upgrading of several interchanges, including Rose Interchange; the construction of pedestrian and cycle lanes; and the installation of road safety furniture and storm water drainage systems along the route,” MEC Vadi said.

He said the development and expansion of the transport infrastructure and road network is critical for further economic growth, particularly at a time when developing economies are experiencing a downturn.

The principal contractor will implement labour-intensive construction methods for the installing of concrete kerbing, drains, gabions, stormwater outlet headwalls and inlets and road signs.

A key component of the project is the engagement of small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) as subcontractors; the employment of local labour, particularly youth and women, and the training and skilling of employees involved in the project.