A R270-million project to ease congestion on Plattekloof Road is due to be completed by February 2024, says Public Works and Transport MEC Daylin Mitchell.
The project was started in September last year, and Mr Mitchell, who visited the site where construction workers are replacing the single carriageway bridge over the N7 and the Malmesbury railway line with a dual carriageway bridge and a pedestrian bridge, says he is pleased with its progress.
The project was expected to create 550 jobs, he said in a statement.
Traffic on the dual carriageways of Plattekloof Road over the N7 currently becomes gridlocked as it crosses the highway and the railway line at the Refinery Interchange.
A new bridge is under construction and will run parallel to the old one, according to Mr Mitchell.
“Once the new bridge is complete, traffic will be diverted onto the new bridge so that construction can begin on the old one,” he said.
“The existing pavement structure on Plattekloof Road and on the interchange ramps will be replaced, which will make space for a three-metre pedestrian sidewalk to be built on the southern side.”
The department was aware that the construction work was causing frustration for motorists, he said. “However, once the bridge has been widened to two lanes in both directions, traffic will be able to move freely all the way along this part of Plattekloof Road, and pedestrians will be able to cross the N7 safely. The new bridge will be long enough to permit the future expansion of the N7.”
