Transport Minister Joe Maswangayi is in the Western Cape to monitor progress on two crucial projects as part of the department’s Transport Month initiative.

The minister is expected to visit the upgrade of a crucial stretch of the N1 between Plattekloof Road and Old Oak Interchange as well as the Windmere Rail Network Control Centre.

The N1 project

The R487-million N1 project is expected to improve traffic flow on one of Cape Town’s busiest roads. According to the department approximately 120 000 vehicles travel along this stretch of road during the morning inbound and afternoon outbound peaks.

The project, which is expected to be completed in April 2019, involves the addition of a third lane in both directions which will ease congestion significantly.

Windmere Rail Network Control Centre

Once complete, the Windemere Rail Network Control Centre will help to deal with poor levels of train reliability and predictability.

Railway infrastructure and technology that has reached the end of its design lifespan will also be addressed.

The control centre will help to bring down the high cost of maintenance, contributing to an efficient transport system that is able to support the region’s economic activity.

It will also broaden access to socio-economic opportunities for society by improving train services.