Industrial property developer Jurgen Erhart of Efcon Capital believes that un-tolled roads linking Pretoria to Joburg, such as the N14, will offer an increasingly popular alternative to the tolled highways and likely encourage growth in these nodes. “Un-tolled access for staff and management will become an important factor and Lanseria Corporate Estate offers such access to residents in many of the north and north-western regions of Johannesburg and south-western regions of Pretoria.” says Erhart.

The toll-free double-lane N14 freeway stretches from Pretoria in the North, to Krugersdorp in the West, with off-ramps providing access to Fourways, Randburg, Lanseria and other key north western Gauteng towns (towards Hartebeespoort and Rustenburg).
 
The 90 hectare Lanseria Corporate Estate is ideally poised to benefit from this alternative route. Its 160 stands have been moving steadily since sales commenced, with some top companies and industrial concerns signing up, including Cash Crusaders and Freeworld Coatings.
 
Lanseria Corporate Estate is located alongside Lanseria International Airport and is a joint venture by an investment consortium including Efcon Capital (Pty) Ltd and New Property Ventures (Pty) Ltd. It is marketed by Montagu Property Group and Property Logic.

“Since launching Lanseria Corporate Estate we have definitely seen an upsurge in enquires from businesses that want to negate additional travel costs and be closer to a well developed hub that is showing good growth with great access,” says Erhart.

One of the N14’s busiest intersecting regional roads, the R512 (Malibongwe Road), which is a main route to Lanseria Airport is currently being upgraded at a massive R375 million. This project adds 5,7km of brand new dual carriageway with double lanes from the N14 to Lanseria Airport on the R512. Also, another 1km of double-laned dual carriageway will boost the intersecting K33 along the Elandsrift to Fourways stretch. A new bridge to carry the new carriageway over the N14 and four intersections with traffic lights are also part of the project.
 
According to consulting engineer for the project, Dennis Sinkonde from Aphane Consulting Engineers, the project commenced in February 2009 and is estimated to be completed by March 2011.
 
“Provision has also been made for dedicated turning lanes at all access roads intersecting R512 between the N14 highway and road K31 leading to Lanseria Airport. Through signalisation, the main road will be given preference and additional carriage ways will reduce the density of vehicles by at least half the current volumes,” says Sinkonde.  

Tolled roads present a new reality for both business and private individuals in the Gauteng area. Gauteng’s Freeway Improvement Project, an initiative by SANRAL aims to reduce congestion and improve a 560km of the major roads network around the Gauteng area. According to SANRAL the project has a number of benefits to road-users as well as the local economy, with reduced travel times, wear and tear on vehicles and lower fuel costs. Given the cost of this necessary exercise, funding will be sourced through the tolling network.

However, these costs will have a major impact on transport and logistics companies.

“On the doorstep of the region’s second largest, international airport, Lanseria Corporate Estate offers a vibrant environment, where warehousing and related offices co-exist in attractive, ecologically sustainable grounds – perfect for companies that want a good address in a transport hub that works,” adds Erhart.

“Lanseria Corporate Estate users will benefit from toll free access from Centurion and Pretoria south-west areas, Cosmo City, Randburg, Krugersdorp and the general Fourways area.”