The City of Cape Town has set aside R481 million for congestion relief projects over the next three financial years.

According to Brett Herron, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport and Urban Development, the money has been allocated to six road projects that are currently under construction as well as to another 16 projects that are currently in the planning and design phase.

Since the City Council endorsed the Congestion Management Programme in December 2015 five new roads have been added to Cape Town’s road network.

“Five road construction projects – one in the Blaauwberg area, three in Kuils River, and one in Bellville – were completed by May this year. Residents from these areas would have experienced the difference by now, and are benefitting from our investment by spending less time on the road,” notes Herron.

Improving quality of life

Herron says the investment in new road infrastructure will benefit all road users and the local economy as the movement of people is pivotal for optimal productivity and quality of life.

“As we are adding capacity to the existing road network to provide some form of relief in the severely congested areas of the city, we are also working on establishing an efficient, affordable, extensive and intermodal public transport system,” he adds

To assist in overcoming congestion in the City Herron is calling on residents to reconsider their commuting patterns by making use of public transport as far as possible, and to try and travel outside of the peak hour periods.

“In this sense business can contribute by implementing flexible working hours or by allowing employees to work from home, where feasible,” he concludes.