Malibongwe Drive upgraded

TRAFFIC congestion getting out north to Lanseria and the Cradle should ease with the upgrading of Malibongwe Drive, its access roads and bridges.Read More
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Traffic congestion getting out north to Lanseria and the Cradle should ease with the upgrading of Malibongwe Drive, its access roads and bridges.
THE newly upgraded stretch of Malibongwe Drive between the N14 highway and Lanseria Airport is expected to ease traffic congestion.

MEC Islaim Vadi and Premier Nomvula Mokonyane open Malibongwe Drive (Photo: Gautengonline)MEC Ismail Vadi and Premier Nomvula Mokonyane open Malibongwe Drive (Photo: Office of the Premier)The section of road has been converted into a dual carriageway. Malibongwe Drive is a major arterial that runs through residential and industrial areas as well as open veld in the northwest of Johannesburg. It connects Randburg with Northgate and beyond.

A total of R556-million was spent on the project. Work included upgrading the dual carriageway from Cosmo City to Lanseria past the N14 crossing, and the construction of two bridges – one is about 59 metres in length and the other, over the N14, is 128 metres long.

Construction of access roads was included in the project, namely the K31 to Lanseria and the K33 towards Fourways and Elandsdrift; as was construction of intersections for access roads along the K29, and the construction of a taxi loading zone. In addition, a 5km-long concrete pavement was built for pedestrians and cyclists.

This section of the road was officially opened on 9 November by Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane accompanied by the MEC for roads and transport, Ismail Vadi.

Speaking of the day, Vadi said: “The upgrading of Malibongwe Drive has brought with it a number of socio-economic benefits to a variety of constituencies. It has improved mobility and accessibility to the residents of Cosmo City, Thabo Mbeki Village and Itsoseng, as well as the business community at Kya Sand Industrial Park and Strydom Park.”

It would reduce traffic congestion leading to Lanseria Airport and other important landmarks along the road. “It has eased the travel of tourists who visit the Cradle of Humankind. Lastly, it has opened a critical corridor to Rustenburg, which is fast becoming an important node of economic development in the wider boundaries of the global city-region of the future.”

Malibongwe Drive connects Joburg to The Cradle of Humankind (Photo: Gautengonline)Malibongwe Drive connects Joburg to The Cradle of Humankind (Photo: Office of the Premier)The road was designed to handle efficiently increased volumes of traffic arising from freight and tourism.

Lanseria Airport is one of the most important properties along Malibongwe Drive. It was established 30 years ago as a rural airfield. Today, the airport has grown to serve high-level international aviation industries.

The airport offers a host of charter services as well as domestic and international flights from recognised airways. Its proximity to the business hub of Sandton makes it a business man’s airport. It is also 50 kilometres from the major centres of Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Aircraft fly between Lanseria and other African countries, such as Mozambique, Namibia, Mauritius, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. It also played an important historical role: Nelson Mandela was flown to Lanseria Airport after his release from prison in 1990.

Vadi extended a word of appreciation to the private sector for its involvement in the airport’s development. “And we have noted with satisfaction infrastructural investment that has been made by the privates sector into Lanseria.”