The newly completed Milpark pedestrian bridge connecting the Milpark precinct to the Rea Vaya Phase 2 trunk route promotes safe pedestrian movement.

The Milpark pedestrian bridge, which crosses Barry Hertzog Avenue, is situated in an area that encompasses a combination of land uses including retail, commercial offices, residential, health facilities, education, hotels, social facilities, public open spaces, and informal retail.

Traffic volumes on Empire Road, Barry Hertzog Avenue and Annet Road acted as strong barriers obstructing pedestrian movement, placing pedestrians at risk and creating poor pedestrian connectivity to peripheral institutional precincts such as Wits University, the University of Johannesburg and Milpark Hospital.

The Milpark pedestrian bridge forms part of the Milpark Precinct Urban Design Framework, which forms part of the Empire Perth Corridor. The Milpark Precinct has been identified by the City of Johannesburg as one of the main precincts of this corridor.

Building a bridge

The construction of the pedestrian bridge took eight months and included the relocation of stormwater drainage, the establishing of the bridge deck, ramps and staircases, the installation of handrails, columns, footings, lights and guard rails, as well as environmental upgrades, including paving and kerbing.

Axton Matrix Construction was appointed as the main contractor, and two emerging subcontractors were appointed to execute portions of the work. A total of 30% of the contract value was awarded to SMMEs to facilitate job creation and skills development.

Urban design framework

The City of Johannesburg has embarked on a new spatial vision for the city in line with its Growth and Development Strategy 2040, based on corridor transit-oriented development (TOD).

Through this approach, it is envisaged that the growth of the future city will be guided towards well-planned transport arterials, with a focus on retail mixed-use developments, higher-density residential accommodation, supported by office buildings, retail developments, and opportunities for leisure and recreation clustered along these routes.

TOD spaces are integrated, vibrant, high-density developments that seek to enhance pedestrian access to public transport options that will transform Johannesburg into a people-centred city.

Based on the above objectives and development goals, the Milpark Precinct Urban Design Framework was adopted as a vision for the precinct. New developments should build on the large institutional presence in the area and the high level of public transport accessibility. Substantial new development is envisaged for this precinct, the majority of which should ideally be high-rise buildings.

The Milpark Urban Design Framework was approved as Council policy in 2016 and contains principal propositions for the transformation of the Milpark Precinct.