The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has advised the residents of Orlando and Greater Soweto that the Klipspruit Valley road, which is an arterial road going in and out of Soweto and a main route for Rea Vaya bus rapid transit (BRT) buses, will be closed for three months to reconstruct the stormwater culvert structure.

The existing structure below the open section of the road is susceptible to collapse. The structure has corroded severely and the structural integrity of the road is no longer safe. The road remaining open for further use will compromise the safety of motorists.

“The roads will be closed for three months from August 15 to November 14 after the stormwater culvert structure has been reconstructed and the road reinstated for use by motorists.

“To avoid unnecessary incidents, we appeal to road users and the community using Klipspruit Valley road to use alternative roads owing to the emergency closure of the section between Sofasonke street/Kumalo Main road and Moroka Nancefield road,” says JRA Infrastructure Development acting head of department Ridhwaan Mahomed.

The first alternative route will see the BRT travel via Tsolo street using Sofasonke street, which will allow the BRT to join Mofokeng street, before turning onto Mambisa street and then Mokoena street.

Subsequent to Maponya Mall’s entrance and the railway bridge being cleared, the BRT will be on Moroka Nancefield road and drive past Nancefield Hostel before rejoining the BRT lane on Klipspruit Valley road, the JRA says.

The second alternative route will be a deviation that will have the BRT turn before the entrance to Home Affairs from Khumalo Main road and passing Ubuntu Kraal. At the T-Junction near Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Dube Vocational, the BRT shall use Mncube drive until the following T-Junction at Moroka Nancefield road.

The BRT will then rejoin the BRT lane from the traffic circle which is at the intersection of Klipvalley/Moroka Nancefield roads.

JRA CEO Dr Tshepo Mahanuke appeals to all road users and the Soweto community to exercise patience during this period.

“To ensure safety at all times, road users are requested to adhere to all road signs, exercise caution by driving at a reduced speed and maintaining a safe following distance,” he says.

The JMPD traffic officials will continue to assist with the traffic flow and monitoring at peak times.