A transport infrastructure upgrade costing nearly R800-million has been put forward for the Greater Wynberg area to improve public transport and alleviate traffic congestion.
The City of Cape Town Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Felicity Purchase, explains what the undertaking will involve.
“All in all, we estimate that we will spend at least R788-million on transport infrastructure in the Greater Wynberg area. This includes road upgrades, the construction of new roads, and the infrastructure that is needed for the MyCiTi service such as the stations, stops, and red right-of-way bus lanes. This investment will, without a doubt, revitalise and transform Wynberg and the way commuters travel to, from and within this area.”
Two proposed transport routes will form part of Phase 2A of the MyCiTi service development that will connect commuters from the Metro south-east to Wynberg and Claremont.
A direct bus route to operate along Wetton Road is also part of the proposed project, as well as a trunk route, or strategic road, with dedicated right-of-way bus lanes along Ottery and South roads.
The portfolio Committee for Transport unanimously approved the proposal on Friday, but the plan still requires a final approval from Council before it can go forward. If the project is approved, a detail design of the new transport development in the Greater Wynberg will begin followed by a detail design of the MyCiTi route, stations and stops.
Purchase says that the new infrastructure will provide locals with an alternative mode of transport that connects to existing routes and modes.
“The roll-out of the MyCiTi service will transform Wynberg. Firstly, the service will provide much-needed scheduled public transport for those commuting between Wynberg and the Metro South-east. The service will integrate with the rail stations in this area so that commuters can easily change from one mode of public transport to another, and it will also improve facilities for pedestrians.”
The MyCiTi development will include the building of missing road links, which will reduce congestion in the area.
In addition to this, more safe pathways will be created for pedestrians to cross railway lines.
“One of the main reasons for the traffic congestion in the Greater Wynberg area is the missing road links that should connect the east and west sides of Wynberg. Commuters have few options to cross the railway line that runs through the heart of Wynberg. Should Council give us the go-ahead, we’ll connect Main Road and Ottery Road by building the missing link along South and Waterbury Roads. An underpass will give the Wynberg and Plumstead areas an additional crossing of the railway line and this will relieve the traffic pressure on Rockley and Victoria Roads,” says Purchase.
A secondary proposal was put forward for the creation of a set of parallel one-way streets for Wynberg using Brodie and main roads. This specific scheme was approved by the Council in 2002 and is necessary for making the proposed MyCiTi route along the Brodie-main road couplet.
The implementation of the couplet will increase traffic capacity on the currently congested roads.
“The couplet will improve traffic flow by turning a section of Main Road into a one-way, with Brodie Road accommodating traffic in the other direction. Thus, the couplet will double the traffic capacity through Wynberg which will reduce the travel time during the peak-hour periods. This will benefit each and every commuter, from those travelling in the MyCiTi buses to commuters in minibus-taxis and other road users,” Purchase says.
The MyCiTi trunk route will go along Ottery and South roads and will serve three rail stations, namely Wittebome, Ottery and Wynberg.
Picture: Pexels