The City plans to spend an extra R203 million over the next three years on relieving traffic congestion, including gridlock on Voortrekker Road in Kuils River.
The budget, approved by the mayoral committee on Wednesday April 5, needs the nod from council, says mayoral committee member for urban mobility Rob Quintas.
The funding would help to ease traffic congestion in Kuils River, Blaauwberg and Kommetjie, he said.
Nooiensfontein Road, Kuils River Road, Van Riebeeck Road (R102), and the M12, among others, suffer heavy congestion during peak hours.
City officials would submit a report to council later this year detailing specific relief projects, Mr Quintas said.
“All-in-all, the additional funding amounts to approximately R203.5 million, which will be available over the next three financial years ending 30 June 2025, should council also approve this request at its meeting at the end of this month.”
The amount excludes the R72.8 million in development contributions from private developers in the next three years.
Council had allocated R750 million in 2015 to easing congestion in Blaauwberg, Kuils River and Kommetjie but more money was need, Mr Quintas said.
“Should council approve this request, the total amount budgeted on congestion relief projects would be R953.5 million – nearly a billion rand – over a period of ten years,” he said.
“It is the City’s intention to expand the capacity of its existing road network while efforts are under way to provide more and reliable public transport services to commuters. The congestion relief programme focuses on projects that will reduce the peak-hour period – this is the time commuters spend on the road during the morning and afternoon driving to and from work.”
Congestion hurt productivity and the environment and came at a significant cost to commuters, he said.