In his 2015 State of The Province Address, Premier David Makhura said the Western Corridor is set to benefit from a series of developments including roads and infrastructure.
Gauteng Provincial Government has identified areas that need upgrades in the Western Corridor and the N14, which stretches from the corner of Paardekraal Drive and Hendrik Potgieter Road, is one of the projects that were earmarked.
The announcement was made in July when the premier and Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismael Vadi launched the R295 million project.
Councillor Barry Friedman, Member of the Mayoral Committee responsible for Engineering Services, previously known as Roads and Transport, said the upgrade is a major boost for Mogale City and its people.
Councillor Friedman said the upgrade will create jobs and skills development opportunities. “We are happy that the provincial government has given this stretch of road an upgrade,” Councillor Friedman said.
“This is an important project for both Mogale City and road users because the upgrade will ease traffic congestion but most importantly, increase road longevity for the next twenty years,” he added.
The N14 is a high traffic volume freeway under severe stress. The condition of the road has degraded over the years hence the provincial government opted to pump millions of rands to upgrade the road. It is a critical arterial route from the southern and western regions of Gauteng to the north, and is used for daily workplace travelling and freight transport.
Councillor Friedman said the upgrade should be linked with the upcoming upgrade of Paardekraal Drive and Hendrik Potgieter Road intersection which has already been approved.
Phase 1 of the N14 upgrade, which is currently underway, stretches from Hendrik Potgieter Road to Diepsloot covering both sides of the road. It is expected to last for 18 months and is scheduled to be completed by October 2016. Phase 2 of the project will link up to the N1.
The upgrade is vital for full economic development and will also link with Lanseria Airport, the Cradle of Humankind and the North West Province