The Northern District Community Forum (NDCF) is cautiously optimistic about news that construction on the N1 bridge is anticipated for early 2027, saying “real commitment” from the City remains missing.
“The City’s recent feedback confirms that any future implementation of the City’s widening will be subject to the City’s planning, prioritisation and funding processes. Furthermore, regarding the ring-fencing of development charges, we were told this specific question is directed to the City department responsible for administering the policy, says Leon Brynard of the NDCF.
“Most concerning is that despite the severe congestion highlighted by over 4 280 motorists, the City continues to assess development applications in accordance with applicable legislation, effectively refusing a moratorium on new approvals in the corridor.”
Dedicated funding is needed
Brynard notes the City’s announcement last week of its record infrastructure spending of R12.2 billion and R653 million for congestion relief, saying that Brackenfell Boulevard is is not included in that spending.
“This is a glaring omission for a corridor where 97% of survey respondents say congestion negatively impacts their productivity,” says Brynard.
He notes that stakeholders remain vigilant, and will further respond when the outcome of the Charles Drive development appeal is known.
Our community requires firm timelines and dedicated funding for the dual carriageway, not just integration with Sanral’s schedule.
“Our community requires firm timelines and dedicated funding for the dual carriageway, not just integration with Sanral’s schedule.”
Brynard’s comments come after Mayco member for urban mobility Rob Quintas last week advised TygerBurger that the widening of Brackenfell Boulevard is expected to begin in early 2027, with Sanral having revised the proposed bridge cross-section to accommodate four lanes.
Quintas said the detailed design for the widening was being undertaken by Sanral as part of its broader N1 Upgrade Programme, along with the associated funding, phasing and construction timelines.
Quintas said the City had formally engaged Sanral to ensure alignment between respective infrastructure programmes and intended to commence conceptual design work for the widening of Brackenfell Boulevard to two lanes in each direction. This would ensure integration with Sanral’s proposed bridge infrastructure and the broader road network.
ALSO READ: Survey launched for Brackenfell Boulevard bridge
However, any future implementation, he said, would remain subject to the City’s planning, prioritisation and funding processes.
No word on moratorium
On development charges, collected from developers to upgrade infrastructure where they want to develop in the area, the question was asked whether that money was specifically earmarked for the upgrade of Brackenfell Boulevard.
Quintas passed the question on to the City department that handles that, saying collection and allocation of these funds were administered in accordance with the City’s Development Charges Policy.
Quintas furthermore confirmed that the City did not ordinarily undertake detailed neighbourhood-specific transportation studies given the scale of the metropolitan transport network and competing priorities.
Responding to calls for a comprehensive corridor traffic study, Quintas said the City did not ordinarily undertake detailed neighbourhood-specific transportation studies given the scale of the metropolitan transport network and competing priorities.
For instance, traffic impacts from the new Bracken Heights High School have been assessed as part of the school’s development application, identifying required mitigation measures that formed part of the specific development approval conditions only.
He said broader network-level studies would be more meaningful once local development projects have been substantially completed and travel demand has stabilised.
Addressing the petition from the NDCF calling for a development moratorium, Quintas said officials from the City’s transport impact assessment section and the spatial planning and environment directorate had been asked to provide technical comments to inform the City’s position.
