Date: 13/05/2003
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government
Title: Mosunkutu: Agreement for construction of K157/P157-2 road interchange in Gauteng


STATEMENT BY GAUTENG PUBLIC TRANSPORT, ROADS AND WORKS MEC KHABISI MOSUNKUTU ON THE SIGNING OF AN AGREEMENT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE K157/P157-2 ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE

We are here today to bear witness to the signing of a multi-million rands landmark agreement which constitutes one of our practical expressions to the Gauteng Government's goal of contributing to the creation of jobs, fighting poverty and, simultaneously, developing the province's infrastructure.

The agreement between my Department, Mr Moleketi's Department of Finance and Economic Affairs and the Grinaker-LTA/Thamane/Yikusasa consortium will not only provide direct jobs for more than 308 unemployed people in Ekurhuleni, in the vicinity of Boksburg, where the K157/P157-2 road interchange will be constructed. Studies have established that transport and transport infrastructure is a significant driver in socio-economic development.

This project, consciously designed to complement the Industrial Development Zone (IDZ) planned by the Blue IQ unit of the Department of Finance, will therefore also contribute significantly to economic development and to further reduction of unemployment in the Province.

Both the Department of Finance and Economics Affairs and my Department are convinced that the R170, 321,284.41 investment committed to this project will have exceptionally important economic and social spin-offs for the entire Province and the country as a whole.

In this regard, we need to note that the IDZ will be located close to the Johannesburg International Airport. Economically, such a prime sport can only be a blessing to the country's goals for a better life for all as well as NEPAD's goals of social and economic development Economic and social inter-action between and amongst not only African countries but also with countries to the north will be enhanced through the development of this IDZ and its efficient transport infrastructure.

The construction of this freeway can be traced to, among others, the planning of the IDZ, an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan area, fired our imagination to emerge with a complementary project that will not only enhance the IDZ, but also contribute to our ongoing traffic congestion management strategy.

The signing of today's agreement is therefore a culmination of a process that started in November 2002 with the completion of a master to improve access to the Johannesburg International Airport.

The project entails rehabilitation sections of the R21 freeway, construction of four bridges, the widening of the existing bridge and the construction of the new off ramps. It is anticipated that the project will be completed towards the end of 2004.

I wish the consortium a great deal of success not only in this project but, hopefully, in many more that are still to come.

For more information contact Sizwe Matshikiza on (011) 355 7553 / 082 778 9996
Issued by Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works, Gauteng
13 May 2003