The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has set aside R20 million for the development of a pedestrian bridge over railway tracks in Klipspruit, one of the oldest townships west of Johannesburg.
The agency says the development is motivated by the high volume of pedestrian movement over the railway and ultimately aims to address the unsafe and illegal crossings due to the absence of alternative infrastructure for the movement of pedestrians. According to the JRA a public consultation process has been undertaken to ensure all interested and affected parties have been engaged on the bridge development. Commenting on the project, which is set to start in June 2018 and last 12 months, MMC for Transport Nonhlanhla Makhuba says it is in the interest of public safety that the JRA has embarked on interventions to improve Klipspruit community’s access by constructing a pedestrian bridge.Inclusive design
“The pedestrian bridge will be located at the corner of Fuschia and Foxglove Roads. As part of JRA’s alignment to Universal Access Design and Compliance, a special condition has been included as part of the construction to accommodate persons with special needs, visual and temporary or permanent physical impairments,” she notes.Makhuba adds that the design also takes into consideration the access height required against the steep landscape and the construction of a subway ramp for the overpass has therefore been proposed.
The bridge will be constructed using reinforced concrete and the construction will include the employ of local labourers and SMME’s as part of the Expanded Public Works Programme.
