The City of Johannesburg’s Transport Department is committed to improving its transportation systems in alignment with the agenda to make public transport and Non-Motorised Transport (NMT) the mode of choice by 2040.

As the infrastructure arm of the City, the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) plays a vital role in the development of quality NMT infrastructure which is critical in facilitating safe and accessible NMT use and unlocking NMT’s potential to become a feasible and sustainable transport mode in the City.

NMT includes walking, cycling, skateboarding, and other small-wheeled innovations. In cities, pedestrians and cyclists typically make up the largest share of NMT users. NMT has been prioritised in urban areas to achieve multiple objectives including reducing congestion, pollution and carbon emissions, and improving safety, accessibility and quality of life.

In line with the City’s commitment to creating liveable, sustainable urban environments in which residents navigate safely and efficiently using public and non-motorised transport, the JDA is implementing the Tshepisong and Cosmo City NMT projects in Region C.

Cosmos City NMT 

Cosmo City is Region C’s major development and has become a huge mixed-income development northwest of Joburg. The Cosmo City NMT project is aimed at improving NMT infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists and the improvement of Public Transport facilities through the:

• Provision of adequate walkways
• Provision of adequate street lighting
• Addressing localised stormwater issues
• Provision of Universal Access

The project site is on South Africa Drive, in Cosmo City, in Ward 100 of Region C of the City of Johannesburg. The area of the proposed works spans about 3.5km within the bounds of Malibongwe Drive and Russia Avenue. The scope of work includes the following:

• Construction of paved sidewalks.
• Construction of Asphalt sidewalks.
• Construction of mini-bus Laybys.
• Construction of Bus stop shelters.
• Landscaping.
• General Public Environmental upgrades

Tshepisong NMT takes complete streets approach

In line with the City’s Complete Streets approach, Tshepisong NMT aims to enhance pedestrian routes along roads connecting to and from the Tshepisong Public Transport facilities, ensuring they meet the necessary standards for safety and accessibility.

The location is in Tshepisong, Ward 128 northwest of Soweto. The area of the proposed works spans mainly three roads which is the R558 to the East, Kagiso Road to the West and the R41 which is just north of the Tshepisong area. The scope of works is for the construction of sidewalks and includes the following:

• Relocation, raising or lowering of existing services;
• Earthworks, layer works for new sidewalks;
• Installation of Universal Access ramps and pedestrian crossings;
• Remedial work to existing storm water services where required;
• Provision and construction of block paved sidewalks;
• Construction of pre-cast kerbing as well cast in-situ concrete edge beams and channels;
• Landscaping

One of the key objectives of the JDA is to undertake the Cosmo City and Tshepisong NMT infrastructure projects using labour-intensive approaches to provide cost-effective short-term employment opportunities to unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Local emerging sub-contractors have been appointed for the execution of the portions of the works in the NMT infrastructure project.

“The Cosmo City and Tshepisong NMT infrastructure projects are an example of the City’s commitment to promoting high-quality public transport networks where NMT is a basic provision in all transport planning and infrastructure projects,” JDA CEO Themba Mathibe said.

“The projects align with the JDA’s objective to support the growth and development of strategic nodes into high quality, investor friendly and sustainable urban environment,” he noted.