The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) will start the implementation of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) station on Rivonia Road in Sandton.
The construction of the Rivonia Road Rea Vaya BRT station forms part of the overall Phase 1C trunk route, which stretches from the Johannesburg CBD, along Louis Botha Avenue, passing the northern part of Alexandra township and looping back through Katherine Street, up to Rivonia Road in Sandton City.
The construction, due to begin in the second quarter of 2021, is the final stretch of BRT infrastructure to be implemented in the area and once completed, will be part of further options in transport facilities and be integral in the precinct development to contribute to the broader public daily commute from other parts of the city.
The overall objectives for the BRT Rea-Vaya system project are, to:
• Integrate transportation along transport corridors and major city destinations;
• Ensure that the Sandton City environment is more accessible to daily commuters;
• Improve connections between different destinations within the corridor;
• Support growth of economic and commercial nodes to increase employment opportunities in the areas;
• Promote the efficient movement of people through the development of environments that encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport; and
• Develop safe, comfortable and inviting public facilities.
The scope of works for the Rivonia Road Rea Vaya BRT station project is:
• Existing services protection and relocation within the station foot-print;
• Preparation for roadworks regrading and widening;
• Traffic accommodation plan;
• Erection of the two BRT station building modules;
• Lane demarcation for the mixed traffic lane and dedicated BRT lane;
• Traffic signal upgrade, as well as regulatory lane markings and signage; and
• Public environment upgrade.
The JDA has already completed a major portion of the required infrastructure, particularly the road upgrades from the Joburg CBD along Louis Botha Avenue, Katherine drive and Rivonia Road itself.
The construction of 10 other BRT stations spread along the Phase 1C route has also been completed. There are another six stations that are currently under construction, one of which the Rivonia Road Rea Vaya BRT station is part of.
The Rea Vaya Phase 1C expansion project will also provide access to employment opportunities for local emerging contractors, sourced from the local and adjacent communities, to participate in the delivery of the associated scope of works.
“The introduction of Phase 1C will bring safe, affordable and reliable transport to the residents of Berea, Yeoville, Orange Groove, Cheldondale, Norwood, Balfour Park, Bramley, Wynberg, Alexandra, Marlboro, Athol, Sandton, Sandown, Longmeadow and Greenstone,” said Cllr Nonhlanhla Makhuba, the Member of Mayoral Committee for Transport in the City of Johannesburg.
The City of Joburg’s Transport Department is the ultimate custodian of the infrastructure that is being rolled out for the purpose of the BRT Rea-Vaya system, an investment that has been undertaken in conjunction with the National Department of Transport, to realise the overall objectives of providing required public transport facilities.
“Transport is one of the backbones of Johannesburg, and linking residents to economic opportunities and providing quality public transport services closer to the people will address the key problems around transportation, while playing a significant role in connecting them to education, business and work opportunities,” said Cllr Thapelo Amad, the MMC for Development Planning.
The development of the Rivonia Road Rea Vaya BRT station is projected for 10 months and will supplement the various parts of infrastructure that have been taking place in the Louis Botha Corridor, these include the Grayston bridge, M1 BRT bridge, and the Watt street interchange.
