Transport Minister Jeff Radebe chats to the LOC's Danny Jordaan and Joburg Mayor Amos Masondo during the 2010 Transport Roadshow

The Johannesburg leg of the 2010 Transport Project Inspection and Media Roadshow highlighted the progress made thus far in preparing South Africa’s transport infrastructure for the 2010 World Cup.

The Roadshow was held on Tuesday and hosted by Minister of Transport Jeff Radebe. Media representatives were joined by Johannesburg Mayor Amos Masondo, Gauteng Transport MEC Ignatius Jacob and Danny Jordaan, CEO of the Local Organising Committee, in witnessing the developments taking place on construction projects in Joburg.  Roadshows will take place in all nine host cities with the next one scheduled for Cape Town later this month.

The Johannesburg road show primarily focused on projects related to the N17 Nasrec Link and the Bus Rapid Transit System

The N17 Nasrec Link

The N17 road is being constructed in order to link Orlando Stadium in Soweto with the N1 highway and Soccer City in Nasrec. Orlando Stadium will be used as a training facility for footballers during the World Cup while Soccer City is set to host the opening and final matches of the tournament.

“This project will leave a significant legacy for footballers in terms of providing direct access to the Nasrec sports precinct,” said Radebe.

The road will also link Soweto to areas such as Randburg and Sandton, thereby breaking down mobility barriers that fuel socio-economic inequalities, added the Minister.

The roadshow took visitors to Soweto to the intersection between Nasrec Road and Klipsruit Valley where a 5.5km section of road is being widened. Construction of the project includes an intersection between the N17 and the Soweto Highway as well as eight bridges.

The project is structured to give 20% participation to targeted contractors and create 320 jobs. It is scheduled for completion in December 2009.

The Bus Rapid Transit System

The BRT system consists of a series of dedicated bus lanes that will provide mobility in specially designed routes, with stops at key points across the city of Joburg.

Radebe explained; “Major nodes such as Lenasia, Soweto, Nasrec, CBD, Ellis Park, Rosebank and Sandton will allow the deployment of feeder systems and the incorporation of existing taxi and commuter bus operators in an integrated rapid transit system.”

Phase 1 of the system is a 40km route made up of 48 stations. “[It] will create 51 000 job opportunities,” said Radebe. Phase 1 is expected to be ready in time for the Confederations Cup which takes place in June 2009.

Media guests visited constructions sites such as the Joubert Park and Ellis Park BRT stations.

The minister also addressed concerns relating to the power crisis saying, “The Department of Minerals and Energy has signed guarantees with Fifa to ensure that power will be provided during 2010," reports Business Day. Radebe added that it was Fifa policy to have dedicated generators for World Cup match venues.

In assuring media on the readiness of his department, Radebe hoped that the roadshows would illustrate that “transport preparations are progressing well and on schedule for completion in time for the championship”.

Radebe also highlighted the World Cup’s role as a catalyst in bringing forward transport infrastructure projects that would otherwise have been rolled out in the medium to long term.

The 15th of May marks the four year anniversary of FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s announcement that South Africa would host the 2010 World Cup. Thanksgiving celebrations will be hosted by the SABC in various parts of the country to commemorate the special day.

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