A section of Cape Town’s MyCiTi infrastructure, which aims to link residents with economic and recreational hubs through public transport, has been recognised with the 2014 Saice regional award for technical excellence in civil engineering.

The infrastructure along Blaauwberg and Potsdam roads in Cape Town, which links the areas of Dunoon, Killarney and Table View with the City Bowl, Camps Bay and Sea Point, won the Western Cape award.

The project involved upgrading the existing Potsdam and Blaauwberg roads, building a new carriageway and bus lane, “signalizing” all of the intersections along the road so that buses can travel safely and upgrading the footway network along the road.

“The development of MyCiTi infrastructure along this route has been an exciting journey. As this was one of the first areas to welcome the service, there was more chance of running into unforeseen challenges.

“Our own staff, in partnership with HHO Africa – the infrastructure engineers – met these challenges head on, ensuring that the inconvenience to the public was minimal, and that the affected communities were able to participate meaningfully in the project,” said Cape Town mayoral committee member Brett Herron.

MyCiTi, Cape Town’s integrated rapid transport system, is aimed at integrating various forms of transport, from Metrorail and conventional bus services, to minibus taxi integration, feeder bus services, bicycle access and park and ride facilities.

Several routes throughout the city have been developed, including a service between the Cape Town International Airport and the Civic Centre and the V&A Waterfront.

Plans for a MyCiTi route through the Cape Town suburbs of Wynberg and Plumstead have recently been criticised by residents, as some houses are likely to be demolished to make way for it. Herron would release more information on plans for the route within a few weeks.