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A Public Private Partnership between the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and Sandton Central Management District (SCMD) to redesign the Grayston Drive/M1 interchange has the potential to unlock major investments worth over R3 billion.

This was revealed during a meeting between the Department and SCMD - which oversees South Africa’s commercial centre located in the heart of Sandton. 

Providing progress on plans to upgrade the interchange, MEC Jacob Mamabolo indicated the Department remains committed to partnering with the private sector to expand the road network and improve efficiencies in the movement of people and goods. 

"Transport infrastructure remains central to our economic recovery and growth efforts. It is only through investments in road infrastructure that we can better the lives of residents, stimulate economic growth and render the province an attractive destination for investment and tourism. 

"Improved traffic flow on this major feeder road, which carries traffic from the N1 into the Sandton Precinct, has the potential to unlock investments worth billions through significant projects such as residential/mixed-use development in and around the Sandton area. It is for this reason that we have committed to formalising and kickstarting plans to redesign the interchange in this financial year," Mamabolo said. 

As part of SCMD's initial contribution towards the planned project, they appointed a company to conduct a micro-simulation model for M1 and Grayston Drive Interchange that includes Katherine Street in September 2020. 

SCMD's Precinct Manager Ms Elaine Jack remarked that congestion in Sandton has restricted its economic growth. 

"Traffic delays at the M1/Grayston interchange also affects the east/west bound traffic coming from and going to Alexandra. As demonstrated by the study we commissioned, converting M1 and Grayston Interchange into a diamond diverging interchange similar to what was done at Woodmead and M1 would go a long way in improving traffic flow in the area," Jack said. 

She added the design idea was brought about by the need to improve the efficiency of the interchange. 

Issued by Gauteng Roads and Transport