PROFILE
WATT INTERCHANGE FOCUS CATALYTIC TRANSPORT PROJECT SET TO TRANSFORM LOUIS BOTHA The Johannesburg Development Agency is a wholly-owned area-based development agency of the City of Johannesburg with an emphasis on the development of resilient, sustainable and liveable urban areas in identified transit nodes and corridors. This means that as an area-based development agency, JDA is more than just a project management agency or an economic development agency.
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he Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) operates within the context of the spatial transformation of South African cities to correct the spatial and systemic inequalities created by past regimes of segregation. This is the foremost goal of urban development in the coming years. A more equitable, more just city is one that extends access to a range of opportunities and services to all of its citizens. This is aligned to the City of Johannesburg’s Growth and Development Strategy (GDS) 2040. One of the JDA’s strategic programmes is that of Accelerated Infrastructure Delivery, with a subprogramme titled Urban Infrastructure Delivery which aligns to the GDS outcome that speaks to providing a resilient, liveable, sustainable urban environment – underpinned by smart infrastructure supportive of a low-carbon economy. One of the development projects that speaks to these outcomes is the Watt Interchange project. This project forms part of the Rea Vaya Phase 1C programme. The scope of works entails construction of a Rea Vaya Bus Station for the Alexandra Community and the planned Watt Street Precinct Mixed-Used
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Development. The scope also entails road upgrades, construction of new bridges, and the upgrading of infrastructure services. Construction of the Watt Interchange project, one of the City of Joburg’s most significant and complex infrastructure developments, in terms of scope and scale, is changing the overall landscape of Wynberg. This project is located between Alexandra, an old township with a significant place in South Africa’s history, and Sandton central, reputed to be the richest spot in Africa, Watt Interchange is bringing about a major rejuvenation in the area. The project forms part of the City of Joburg’s Rea Vaya BRT Phase 1c project along the Louis Botha Corridor of Freedom and is currently being implemented by the Johannesburg Development Agency, on behalf of the City of Joburg’s Transport Department. From Arkwright Avenue to Chadwick Avenue along Old Pretoria Road, mass earthworks, completed columns and reinforced steel are some of the construction work which can be seen. Superstructures, concrete beams, lateral support piling and retaining walls can also be seen making the shape of what will be the most complex transport interchange in the Johannesburg region.
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