The Gauteng
Department of Roads and Transport has officially resumed with the multi-million
rand rehabilitation and upgrading project of Road K69 (Solomon Mahlangu Drive -
Phase 1) in Mamelodi, City of Tshwane. 
 
The project was
launched by MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo,
on Wednesday, 28 August 2019.
 
Fully funded by
the Department to the tune of R300 million, the project involves the
dualisation of the existing carriageway to increase its capacity, improve
safety and accessibility for existing and future developments along the route. It
is expected to be completed in August 2021.
 
Scope of works
include, amongst others, construction of a bridge over Pienaars River,
upgrading of intersections along the route, upgrading of stormwater management
infrastructure as well as cleaning the road reserve and grass cutting.
 
Construction of
bus or taxi bays at selected intersections to support public transport and
passenger convenience has also been prioritised. 
 
"Once
completed, this project will have a great impact on the economy of Mamelodi. It
will make the movement of people and goods much easier and will drastically
reduce congestion," said MEC Mamabolo.
 
Road K69 has
been experiencing high volumes of traffic resulting in congestion during peak
morning and afternoon traffic. Upgrading the road is expected to reduce
congestion and travel times between Mamelodi and the N4. First phase of the
project covers approximately nine (9) kilometres, stretching from Road R104
(Bronkhorstspruit Road) to K54 (Tsamaya Road) in Mamelodi. 
 
The road stretches
almost 12 kilometres in the north-easterly direction from Lynwood to Mamelodi,
linking Lynwood Road to K54 in Mamelodi. 
 
"The road
infrastructure is the life blood for any economy. If we are serious about
the township economy, investments such as this are a necessity," Mamabolo
added.
 
He said the
project will amongst other things provide an improved dual carriageway of road
with reduced traffic congestion and accidents.
 
Local communities
and businesses also stand to benefit from the project. The MEC indicated that "during
construction local businesses will benefit 30% of the contract value, the
community will benefit in skills transfer and training programmes". 
 
He added that
“this demonstrates Gauteng Provincial Government’s commitment to providing a
world-class road network serving as a key stimulator to economic growth,
creating job opportunities whilst promoting social cohesion”.​​