SUZANNE BELLING & ANT KATZ
The roadworks and construction taking place on Louis Botha Avenue in the north-eastern suburbs of Johannesburg – to increase services to cope with the planned six-fold population increase and create a middle lane for the operation of Rea Vaya buses – is at present playing havoc with the traffic, inconveniencing drivers and pedestrians alike.

It is also a nightmare for parents dropping their children off at schools in the area. The closure of several roads and the island in the middle of the road running from Yeoville to Alexandra township and resulting traffic jams, have forced people to take circuitous routes to reach their homes in the streets running off the main avenue.

Most readers approached by the SA Jewish Report were pessimistic about a quick solution.

This is what they had to say:

Rebecca Sarchi, principal of Torah Academy Girls’ High School, which is on Louis Botha Avenue with the entrance to the school in a side street, said: “It is one billion per cent inconvenient because the island in the road is much too far forward and has blocked off access to the school.

“People are doing U-turns and there is nowhere for parents to drop off kids.”

She was appalled by the number of taxis skipping red traffic lights and having to go “all the way around the block to get into the school. It is simply a disaster.”

 Sarchi is contemplating changing her timetable to add on five minute breaks for the teachers to make it in time from the Girls’ High to the Boys’ High to give lessons. She does not think the situation is going to change.

Esther Bassin, who lives in Boundary Road, Rouxville, walks from there to Pine Street Shul on Saturday mornings.

“I wrote a letter about a year ago to complain, but received no reply. I walked the route with obstacles all the way – pipes sticking out, bricks lying in the road. And now that is over, everything is full of red sand.”  

This she attributes to the clinic being built on the corner of Louis Botha Avenue and Oaklands Road. “It doesn’t help to walk on the other side. Taxis go through red traffic lights and, while I am walking – or driving – I wonder why I should be inconvenienced.
“Only time will tell if there will be an improvement.”

Meyer Slonim, who lives close to Louis Botha Avenue, said that the development taking place was “a hegdis” at the moment. “It is a nuisance.

“On the other hand, I suppose it will be for the better. Once they have got the buses running, maybe things will improve. At least we won’t have the mess we have now.

“In the meantime, it is very inconvenient and I think it is going to take ages.”

STORY CONTINUES BELOW PICTURES…

An early perspective drawing of the area where the first station on the Louis Botha Corridor will be built, starting by the first week of October

Johannesburg Jewry are severely affected by scenes such as this one near Balfour Park last month where workmen are active on both sides of the road and, in the distance, all the way to Gresswold as well. Read why this is so much more than a bus lane to understand what is happening, why, and how it will affect you, and the TIMELINE – PIC: Ant Katz

This pictograph illustrates the envisaged densification of population as envisaged in the council’s plan. The red focus area is that directly along Louis Botha Avenue. This has been subjected to an intensive study and is expected to grow six-fold. This will, however, obviously be driven by demand (for accommodation) and supply (by developers or landlords)

David Gluckmann called it “balagan”.

“It’s causing a lot of traffic jams. I have been delayed if I go up Louis Botha Avenue. It’s the worst street in the world. I say if you can drive on Louis Botha Avenue, you can drive anywhere in the world.

 “I try to avoid it. I will take other roads, Joseph Street and Sixth Avenue, all the way down through Highlands North, or even go up via Sylvia Pass.
“
I don’t know if it’s going to come right. I hope so. If it does, it will alleviate the general traffic situation.”

Marcelle Ravid, former city councillor for Ward 73 (which includes Orange Grove, Norwood, Houghton and Oaklands), explained: “The Rea Vaya bus lane is in the middle of Louis Botha. In order for it to work optimally, the buses need to travel fast to get to their destinations quickly and safely.

“The construction work will eventually go away – for now people will have to go out of their way.”

She foresees problems with taxi stops and if there are breakdowns on the road. Taxis are not supposed to travel on the road – the operative word is “not supposed to”.

Because of the construction and chaos, she missed an important appointment in town.

She does envisage the situation improving “depending on traffic enforcement and how effective policing will be”.

Greg Cowan, who lives in a crescent off Louis Botha is frustrated.

 “I am an old man, pushing 80. If I were 10 years younger, I would be interested to ask the workmen what is going on with all this chopping and changing to the configuration of Louis Botha Avenue.

“
It comes across as confused and therefore confusing. I doubt if I will ever understand. I am as confused by all of this as I am by the machinations of our national and local government.”

Related reads on this website:

• Louis Botha… first leg in the changing face of Joburg
• Louis Botha… Risks and opportunities
• Joburg wants to hear what its Jews need
• All previous related reads on JR Online
  

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The reticulation of power and water to service six times as many residents, and the removal of sewage and storm-water pipes and drains, all have to be put in place.

Follow the story, join the conversation…

Over this week and next – and maybe more if required – Jewish Report will try and answer our readers’ questions. Feel free to join the conversation and let’s hear what you think in our comments section below.

Jewish Report has also have placed a link to the 145-page “Strategic Framework” document in a PDF format for readers to see, download, print or share – to understand what is happening and why.