Over P400m to tackle traffic hotspots in Gaborone
Isaac Pinielo | Friday October 6, 2017 12:23
The project, which is funded through a $40 million (P413.2 million) loan from the OFID (OPEC Fund for International Development), will cut congestion and journey times for motorists and improve safety.
This include the design, build and transfer of three grade separated interchanges at the junctions of Western Bypass with Lobatse Road, Willie Seboni Road and Kudumatse Drive for an estimated contract period of 18 months.
Director of roads, Modisa Segokgo said these junctions have been identified as traffic hotspots especially during peak times.
Estimates by the roads department show that in 2015 the intersection at Game City experienced traffic of about 3,580 during the morning and 4,049 in the afternoon, at Rainbow it was 3,915 in the morning and 4,362 in the afternoon, while Btv circle experienced 4,516 and 4,386 in the morning and afternoon respectively. Segokgo expressed hope that the interchanges will improve traffic flow in Gaborone and reduce accidents, adding that the detailed design of the interchanges will be publicly shared after award of the project.
Earlier in a statement, the department indicated that thirteen companies have shown interest to construct the three intersections, noting that eight of the companies are based in Europe and Asia with the remaining five based in South Africa.
“Currently, technical proposals are under evaluation for the construction of the interchanges. Thereafter, it will be opening of the financial proposals before award,” he said.
Segokgo indicated that the plan is to have the project started by February 2018.
In recent times, road traffic congestion has become a problem, growing at an alarming rate, as most people’s lives have become increasingly dominated by the motorcar.
Congested streets have continued to make life less pleasant for motorists as well as pedestrians with increased traffic leading to more accidents.
In 2015, the Ministry of Transport and Communications conducted a study for implementation of transport modernisation system in greater Gaborone, which sought to modernise public transport system by creating a bus based rapid transit system.
A consultancy company from Canada, CPCS was engaged to help the ministry with ideas on how to go about the project.