Consulting engineering firm WSP is actively involved in several major strategic highway projects across Gauteng, working with developers, as well as the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, to execute large-scale provincial road projects that strategically aim at unlocking the potential for socioeconomic growth and development in the region.

"We've managed to build a resilient relationship with the department, leveraging our . . . record and . . . consulting services to contribute to Gauteng's infrastructure development,” WSP transport and infrastructure principal associate Sameshan Naidoo says.

A prominent aspect of WSP's strategy involves working closely with the province and developers on the projects, remaining agile to contend with fluctuating local government structures. The firm also provides oversight throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring all infrastructure is built according to current best practice design, along with construction quality control and quality assurance.

WSP's engagement with the Gauteng provincial road projects and the various developers working on them form part of the local drive for township informal and housing developments. These projects create strategic links between previously inaccessible areas and generate jobs, benefiting socially sensitive and previously disadvantaged communities such as Diepsloot, Sharpeville and Alexandra.

For transparency and efficiency, WSP uses cloud-based building information modelling-enabled software, enabling all stakeholders to monitor the project progress in real-time.

“Our approach allows developers, contractors and clients to stay informed about all on-site activities without physically being there, enabled by fully digital construction management environment,” Naidoo explains.

He says the projects are not just about road construction but rather about community building, social welfare and economic growth. Through these infrastructural developments, WSP aims to contribute to the creation of new communities, providing access to road networks and fostering economic opportunities.

"Everything we do locally adheres to our international best practice standards, particularly regarding sustainability and decarbonisation," Naidoo says.

The Gauteng major strategic highways projects in which WSP is involved are:

• The K46 William Nicol project, in partnership with a major Gauteng-based developer. The project is currently in construction;
• The K56 and Erling road project, which is a greenfield project being run in conjunction with two major developers. Construction is planned to start in the third quarter;
• The K174-Riverwalk interchange in Vanderbijlpark, where WSP is working closely with the Gauteng province. The project is expected to conclude by March next year;
• The K73-Allandale upgrade, which aims to unlock numerous development opportunities and is expected to be completed by October;
• The first phase of the K155 Linksfield project, which is expected to start construction later this year; and
• The D483 rehabilitation project, which includes the upgrade of the road to Cullinan, and is due for completion in July.

“We are focused on attracting, developing and retaining talented engineering, project delivery and construction management staff. We do this by providing relevant construction experience for young engineers to obtain their professional registrations and also attract talent by working on major road projects such as these,” Naidoo adds.