Two years ago, the City’s Transport Directorate partnered with the Milnerton Estates and Garden Cities in converting Sandown Road and Malibongwe Drive up to the Potsdam interchange into a dual carriageway.
The construction commenced in May 2019 and has been making steady progress.
However, as with other construction projects across the country, work had to stop due to the national lockdown which came into effect on 27 March 2020.
When the lockdown was eased to Level 4, allowing for construction work, the project resumed on the Loop Ramp onto the N7 southbound as part of the Malibongwe Drive/Sandown Road.
This section is funded and managed by the developer, The Milnerton Estates Project.
Work along this section currently involves the construction of the stormwater culvert structures, and the piling on the Malibongwe Bridge.
The Loop Ramp will provide a direct link from Malibongwe Drive onto the N7 off the Potsdam interchange.
Once the Loop Ramp is completed, it will improve the traffic flow onto the N7 as the existing conflict point on the bridge will be eliminated and traffic will have a free flow from Parklands, Sunningdale and Rivergate onto the N7 heading in a southerly direction.
Some of the work to date includes:
- Dualling of Sandown Road from Gie Road to Malibongwe Drive (M12).
- Construction of a bridge over the railway line.
- Dualling of Malibongwe Drive (M12) from Sandown Road to the Potsdam Interchange (N7/M12)
- Relocation of a sewer pipeline and water main with the exception of the Wood Drive sewer crossing has been completed
‘Our commitment to improve the lives of our residents is the driving force behind this project – it is aimed at alleviating traffic congestion. We are set on implementing projects that will save motorists time on the roads.
‘As a result of this project, traffic flow along the dualled section of Malibongwe Drive and Sandown Road between Potsdam Road and Gie Road has seen a significant improvement,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Alderman Felicity Purchase.
‘Roadworks always come with a level of inconvenience and this one is no different. Residents can expect delays around the construction areas especially along the section of Sandown Road between Gie Road and Sunningdale Drive. The intersection of Wood Drive onto Sandown Road will be closed from 1 June 2020.
‘Alternate routes will be available to facilitate traffic flow. Also, the lane closures on Malibongwe Drive bridge will negatively impact the traffic flow. We request the public be patient while the work is ongoing. Where possible, please try to avoid this area,’ said Alderman Purchase.
Given the delays emanating from the national lockdown, the completion is now envisaged towards the beginning of December 2020.