The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) says it will start implementation of the Rea Vaya bus rapid transit (BRT) station on Rivonia road, in Sandton, in the second quarter.

The station’s construction is the final stretch of BRT infrastructure to be implemented in the area and, once completed, will be part of further options in transport facilities and be integral in the precinct development to contribute to the broader public daily commute from other parts of the city.

The construction of the Rivonia road Rea Vaya BRT station forms part of the overall Phase 1C trunk route, which stretches from the Johannesburg central business district (CBD), along Louis Botha avenue, passing the northern part of Alexandra township and looping back through Katherine street, up to Rivonia road.

City of Johannesburg Transport MMC Nonhlanhla Makhuba says the introduction of Phase 1C will bring safe, affordable and reliable transport to the residents of Berea, Yeoville, Orange Groove, Cheldondale, Norwood, Balfour Park, Bramley, Wynberg, Alexandra, Marlboro, Athol, Sandton, Sandown, Longmeadow and Greenstone.

The development of the Rivonia road Rea Vaya BRT station is projected to take ten months and will supplement the various infrastructure developments that have been taking place in the Louis Botha Corridor. These include the Grayston bridge, M1 BRT bridge and the Watt street interchange.

The overall objectives for the BRT Rea Vaya system project are to integrate transportation along transport corridors and major city destinations, ensure that the Sandton city environment is more accessible to daily commuters and improve connections between different destinations within the corridor.

Further, the BRT Rea Vaya system aims to support growth of economic and commercial nodes to increase employment opportunities in the areas it services and promote the efficient movement of people through the development of environments that encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport.

The project also envisages developing safe, comfortable and inviting public facilities.

The scope of works for the Rivonia road Rea Vaya BRT station project includes existing services protection and relocation within the station footprint, preparation for roadworks regrading and widening and a traffic accommodation plan.

The scope of work also includes the erection of the two BRT station building modules; lane demarcation for the mixed traffic lane and dedicated BRT lane; traffic signal upgrade, as well as regulatory lane markings and signage; and an upgrading of the public environment.

The JDA has already completed a major portion of the required infrastructure, particularly the road upgrades from the Joburg CBD along Louis Botha avenue, Katherine Street and Rivonia road.

In addition, the construction of ten other BRT stations spread along the Phase 1C route has also been completed. There are another six stations that are currently under construction, one of which the Rivonia road Rea Vaya BRT station is part of.