Nick Wilson

A RASH of residential and commercial developments in Kyalami and Midrand are expected to create a major traffic congestion headache.

While the planned Gautrain rail link is expected to relieve congestion in Midrand, commentators say that upgrades are needed on Allandale Road.

Pat Flanagan, of developers Flanagan & Gerard, says government is busy doubling up and generally improving the Blue Hills road which is a link between Woodmead and Kyalami.

"That work is under way. There are roadways on the go, as well as commercial and residential development.

"There is a huge amount of activity," says Flanagan. He says once these roadworks are completed the "whole north-south traffic situation" will improve.

But Flanagan says Allandale Road worries him because it is "very narrow" and it is a link between Kyalami and the M1.

"You are going to have an improved north-south corridor but the greater Johannesburg’s biggest problem is the east-west movement which is typified by the Allandale Road and that is an east-west road linking Kyalami to Midrand and to the M1," says Flanagan.

"That means you will have the congestion transferring to Allandale Road, which by definition means Allandale Road must come under focus for upgrading, widening and improvement."

On the question of development activity, Flanagan says there is a huge amount of residential developments under way, including equestrian estates.

Flanagan says commercial property development in the area is fairly limited at the moment with most of the emphasis on residential development.

"It illustrates how much demand there is for housing in the greater Johannesburg."

Flanagan says the Gautrain will bring considerable benefits to the greater Johannesburg area.

"If you look at any first class city in the world you have a rail link from the airport to your major business centres.

"The idea of the Gautrain is excellent and it will have a beneficial impact and reduce traffic congestion," says Flanagan.

Property economist Francois Viruly, says the Gautrain will play an "integral role" in "opening up" the Midrand area.

"I still don’t believe that the road improvement in Kyalami is going to play a major role in improving traffic congestion in the area," says Viruly.

He says an upgrade of Allandale Road is needed but that it will not provide a solution to the traffic congestion problem.