Gridlocked motorists and passengers tearing their hair out in the northern Johannesburg suburb of Fourways this week should brace themselves for three more weeks of congestion.
Construction on the Cedar Road rehabilitation project has restricted lanes between Uranium and Witkoppen Road‚ leading to severe peak hour delays.
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) said on Thursday that it would deploy officers to the area every day for the next two to three weeks.
“OUTsurance pointsmen will be there during peak times from 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm. JMPD officers will be there during the day‚” said JMPD spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
James Rosslee of Jodan Construction‚ the company contracted to work on the upgrade‚ said motorists in the Fourways area should prepare for difficulty over the next three to four weeks.
“All we are trying to do now is get it done as soon as possible. We can’t divert cars as there are road works everywhere [in Fourways]. There is no other solution.
“Please be patient. We will push this as fast as possible.”
Frustrated motorists caught in the jam have tweeted their complaints and musings.
Fourways traffic, I've finished my breakfast and lunch but I am still on the road ?
— Owen Mbatha (@owenmbatha) May 4, 2017
@MyJRA please advise what is being done to ensure traffic flow in the Fourways area during construction. Absolute chaos!!!!
— Ant Wilson (@FatmanJNB) May 4, 2017
Fourways traffic has reached new levels!! I literally had to get off my cab & walk home cos it's at a stand still ???. Sheew! Issa lot mate!
— Ntims (@NtimsJP) May 3, 2017
Yesses! Fourways traffic had me running 1hr late this morning.
— Tamara Nodada (@Tammzzie) May 4, 2017
The Cedar Road lane closures are part of an 11-month rehabilitation programme to improve traffic congestion in the suburb. The R80-million project is being paid for the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and the Steyn City Development.
The project involves the widening of Cedar Road into a dual-carriageway with new pavements‚ pedestrian walkways and an upgraded storm-water system.
For motorists at risk of losing their cool in the coming weeks‚ the Automobile Association has some advice on staying calm behind the wheel.
“As much as it may be difficult to prove that fast-paced or aggressive music makes for aggressive drivers‚ soothing music will calm you. Put on music that relaxes you‚” is the advice posted on the association’s website.
“Monitor your mood. If you start feeling tense or angry‚ relax your grip on the wheel‚ sit back and focus on breathing deeply. If necessary‚ pull over where it is safe to do so and breathe deeply until you have calmed down.”
While lane closures on Cedar Road between Uranium and Witkoppen are expected to reopen by the end of the month‚ phase two of the Cedar Road rehabilitation project will continue until later this year.
The first phase of the project was completed in June 2016.
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