First it was Rosebank, then Braamfontein, and now road diversions are to be introduced in Sandton from tomorrow to enable the Gautrain construction programme to go ahead.

Rivonia Road northbound, between Fifth and West streets, will be closed from March 10 for the construction of the Sandton station.  These diversions will be in place until January 2009.

The Sandton station, at 45m underground, is to be the deepest of the 10 Gautrain stations and will serve as the interchange linking OR Tambo Airport, Pretoria and Johannesburg city centre.  Passengers travelling from Tshwane or down town Johannesburg will be able to change trains in Sandton to go to their various destinations.

The Sandton Central Management District has undertaken to distribute pamphlets to motorists and residents with the road diversion map. They will contain details in an effort to ease potential traffic disruptions through Sandton caused by the detours.

Bombela spokeswoman Yolisa Tyantsi said businesses in the area had already been given these details.

“In partnership with the Johannesburg metropolitan police department and Johannesburg Roads Agency, a reasonable time will be allowed for the traffic to adjust to the new configuration, after which careful monitoring and evaluation of traffic will be done,” she said.

Construction will also be taking place at a new temporary taxi rank that will be situated in front of the Sandton library, near Rivonia Road and West Street.

Parking for library visitors has now been moved to the northern side of the construction site and is accessible from the West Street entrance into Sandton Square.

Road diversions are also in place in Braamfontein, where Smit and Wolmarans streets, one- way streets going east and west respectively, convert into two-way roads for several blocks.  This diversion will be in place until October this year to allow for construction of an extended Park Station, which is being designed to accommodate the Gautrain.

In the Kempton Park area, access to Kimmerling Street via Vallei Road and Proctor Street will also be closed.

Access to properties in Kimmerling Street will be accessible via Canopus Street and Daniel Road.  However, construction vehicles will also get to Kimmerling Street via these two roads.

The Bombela construction consortium has again called for the understanding of residents affected or inconvenienced by the construction.