Breaking ground with the City of Cape Town Ward Councillor for Bellville, Jackie Visser, Warren Hewitt, Chief Executive Officer of the GTP, said: “We’re delighted to see the first soil being turned on this project. It will make a significant contribution to the sustainable future of the area, and of Bellville as a whole. The upgrade is an important component in the ongoing reinvigoration of the Bellville CBD, which the GTP is spearheading in partnership with the City of Cape Town, to create a leading African city.”
Councillor Visser said: “Kruskal Avenue is an important thoroughfare between the Bellville train station and the Bellville central business district. The plans have been in place for a long time, and we’re very excited to kick off the new year with the project starting. The upgrade project will provide an enhanced, safe, welcoming and attractive urban environment in the heart of Bellville.”
The Kruskal Avenue upgrade between Voortrekker Road and Cross Street includes widening the existing pedestrian crossing, adding additional lighting, installing new benches and planting more appropriate trees, and installing public art.
Teddington Road will also be upgraded, between Vrede Street and Voortrekker Road, and from Voortrekker Road to the corner of De Lange Road. These works will start in February, and will include removing curbs to create a single level surface, installing new benches and additional lighting.
Once that part is complete, the intersection at Voortrekker and Durban Roads will be extended, with longer central traffic islands to improve pedestrian safety when crossing the road. Brick planter boxes will be removed for surveillance purposes and a new entrance to recently upgraded Elizabeth Park will be created.
Completion of phase one of this project is currently scheduled for February 2020.
The upgrade will be implemented in two phases:
1. The upgrade of Kruskal Avenue itself
2. The upgrade of the informal trading area towards Blanckenberg Street.
Phase one started on 31 January 2019. Timing for the second phase is yet to be confirmed.
Watch this space for more details on progress.
