Soweto's Bolani Road opens

The link between the township and the West Rand has been upgraded through Bolani Road, which was improved under the 20 Prioritised Townships Programme.
A NEWLY upgraded Bolani Road in Emdeni, Soweto, will improve accessibility between the township and the West Rand.

New safety rails and pedestrian pavements have been put up along Mdlalose StreetNew safety rails and pedestrian pavements have been put up along Mdlalose StreetThe Road was officially opened on 19 April by Joburg’s portfolio head of transport, Rehana Moosajee, and Gauteng’s road and transport MEC, Ismail Vadi. The road improves the link between Soweto and the West Rand via Adcock Road, the K15.

Costing R65-million, the upgrade was undertaken under the province’s 20 Prioritised Townships Programme aimed at improving service delivery in major townships, promoting small road contractor development, and creating job opportunities, particularly for women, youth and people with disabilities.

On the day, Moosajee and Vadi also inspected the completed paved pavements on Mdlalose Road in Protea Glen, a road where several fatal accidents have occurred.

Upgrades to Bolani Road entailed the widening of the route from Koma Street to Emdeni Bridge. The road works included construction, milling of the existing asphalt on a portion of the existing road, upgrading of underground storm water drainage, and the construction of pavements.

The project began in March 2009 and was completed by Well Earned Trading in September last year.

Vadi expressed his satisfaction that the project was finished, after it was delayed by almost a year. The delays were caused by unknown underground services, extensive rainfall during construction and bitumen shortages.

He said 133 jobs were created during construction and 99 local beneficiaries received accredited training. Locally employed workers were trained in laying storm water drainage, erecting and maintaining guard rails, and painting road symbols.