M a r k e t N e w s
South Africa: Government Continues to Invest in Infrastructure
Posted on : Wednesday, 5th October 2016
Pretoria — Government has made huge investments and will continue to invest in road infrastructure and public transport, which is safe, reliable, affordable, and accessible, says Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Ismail Vadi.
Speaking during the launch of Transport Month in Tshwane, on Monday, MEC Vadi said government's investment was guided by the 25-year Integrated Transport Master Plan.
"The goal of course is to incentivise commuters of every socio-economic category to travel on public transport. This is good for our environment; it eases traffic congestion and promotes wellness," he said.
The provincial Department of Roads and Transport will later this month distribute 2000 bicycles in Ekurhuleni to encourage young people to take up cycling.
"We must imagine and create and live an alternative to the current car-centric nature of many cities across the globe," he said.
PWV15 road
The department is also planning to build a 35 kilometre long PWV15 road to support the development of an Aerotropolis at the OR Tambo International Airport and the Tambo-Springs Freight and Logistics Hub.
"We prioritise the maintenance and expansion of our road network precisely because it is an enabler of broader economic growth, job creation and the empowerment of small and medium enterprises," MEC Vadi said.
He said the construction of the PWV15 should be seen as a strategic project.
"Apart from alleviating traffic congestion on the existing road network, it will accelerate the development of the Aerotropolis and the Tambo-Springs Logistics Hub, and enhance the adjacent land value along the route for housing, industrial and commercial development," MEC Vadi said.
He said it would serve as a catalyst to modernise the road network in the Eastern corridor, unlock economic opportunities through the revitalisation of the manufacturing sector in Ekurhuleni as well as allow for the free flow of freight traffic from the N3 to the N1 freeways.
Furthermore, it will relieve traffic pressure at the Gillooly's Interchange, which has been upgraded by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) through the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project.
Clean Bus Declaration
According to MEC Vadi, the city has signed the "Clean Bus Declaration" and its committed to having 40 percent of its bus fleet converted to clean technologies by 2020.
"This will include busses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) and other combination of zero emission capable vehicles. We will recall that the first CNG bus was launched in Tshwane in November 2015," he said.
MEC Vadi said 10 electric vehicles were incorporated into the messenger fleet in May last year.
Source : allafrica.com
