The southbound lanes on Rivonia road, in Sandton, will be reduced to two lanes from Monday, August 7, for three months to accommodate the bus rapid transit (BRT) road widening project.

At a later stage, the middle lanes in both directions will be closed for seven months to facilitate the implementation of the BRT stations.

The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) says it will start construction of the BRT station in Sandton on behalf of the City of Johannesburg’s Transport Department on August 7. The station will be between Sandton drive and Katherine street intersection south and Fifth street on the north.

During the period when the middle lanes are closed, there will be reduced capacity for traffic on that section of Rivonia road and traffic congestion will increase during peak hours.

The JDA encourages motorists to consider taking alternate routes, such as, for northbound traffic, turning right into Katherine street and looping back onto Rivonia road via a left turn into West street.

The second alternative route, for southbound traffic, is to turn left off Rivonia road via West or 5th street onto Katherine street, then to turn left back onto Rivonia at the Sandton drive intersection.

The project involves the erection of the BRT station building in the road median with two station modules like the one on Katherine street.

The new stations will have dedicated BRT bus docking and bypass lanes in the road median on either side of the station and two outer mixed traffic lanes to maintain traffic around the station and pedestrian crossing to and from the Sandton Mall.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this construction may cause and appreciate the public's cooperation during this crucial phase of the BRT infrastructure project. Once completed, this project will significantly enhance the efficiency and sustainability of public transportation in our city,” JDA acting CEO Siyabonga Genu says.