By Charmaine Ndlela
Thousands of motorists travelling between Johannesburg and Tshwane are expected to benefit from reduced congestion following the completion of the upgraded K101 Road, also known as Old Johannesburg Road.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela officially launched the completed project on Wednesday.
The upgraded K101 serves as an alternative route to the congested N1 freeway, connecting D795 Road in Midrand to the N1 via Brakfontein Road, along the northern edge of Johannesburg and the southern boundary of Tshwane.
The project involved the construction of about 5.4km of dual carriageway between D795 and the N1 via Brakfontein Road. It also included three bridges and associated road infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving traffic flow, road safety and connectivity.
The project was first launched by Diale-Tlabela on 28 October 2022 as part of Gauteng’s efforts to improve transport links between Johannesburg and Tshwane.
The provincial government said the completed road would reduce travel times for commuters, ease pressure on surrounding roads and support economic activity by improving the movement of people and goods.
The project formed part of Gauteng’s broader transport infrastructure programme. In May 2022, the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport said it had an R8.75 billion budget to support the province’s post-Covid-19 economic recovery, including R2.5 billion for transport infrastructure projects covering planning, design, construction and maintenance.
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