Bhisho begins its major revamp in earnest this week.New offices for thousands of civil servants are on the cards, as well as upgrades to many of the roads.
Some of the main streets into the province’s capital will be closed from today.
The roadworks will affect thousands of motorists, who will have to park hundreds of metres from the city centre where they work.
Provincial roads and public works spokesman Mphumzi Zuzile yesterday said three main access roads to Bhisho CBD will be temporarily cordoned off until August for phase one of the Bhisho revitalisation programme.
Phalo Avenue – which runs from the Amatola Sun traffic lights past the treasury and cooperative governance and traditional affairs departments to Bhisho police station – will be off limits to motorists until March 15.
Zuzile said Independence Avenue will then be cordoned off between First National Bank and Phalo Avenue in the CBD from February 29 to August 1, while Siwane Avenue – a small road between his department and the old Pick n Pay building – will be closed to motorists between April 6 and July 18.
The three roads, which have been accommodating traffic in both directions, will become one-way streets. The other roads are to be paved and used as walkways with benches for seating and trees, and a number of parking areas around the CBD are also up for a facelift.
Zuzile said about R28-million had been set aside for such roads and parking area upgrades. A new parking area along Circular Drive will also be built.
Zuzile yesterday conceded that construction of the roads “will cause inconvenience” for staff members in various government departments and people visiting Bhisho.
However, he added that the revamps will go a long way to restore the face of the provincial capital to its former glory.
“Also, as part of the project, several other roads in the Bhisho CBD will be rehabilitated and paved, and the drainage improved,” said Zuzile.
“Separate measures for MECs will be arranged for them to be dropped off and picked up in front of their department buildings.”
About two years ago the Daily Dispatch reported that in a bid to save costs on leasing offices, there were plans to build a R1.2-billion office precinct as part of the Bhisho revitalisation programme.
Zuzile yesterday said that move was progressing well.
“Good progress is being made in relation to the new initiative to construct the Bhisho office precinct.
“The application for the approval of the appointment of a strategic partner has been recommended by provincial treasury.
“It was submitted to National Treasury on November 26.
“Negotiations between our department, the Development Bank of South Africa and Buffalo City Metro have commenced to discuss the financing for the provision of bulk infrastructure for that project,” Zuzile revealed. — asandan@ dispatchlive.co.za/
Bhisho revitalisation begins this week
New offices for thousands of civil servants are on the cards, as well as upgrades to many of the roads.
Some of the main streets into the province’s capital will be closed from today.
The roadworks will affect thousands of motorists, who will have to park hundreds of metres from the city centre where they work.
Provincial roads and public works spokesman Mphumzi Zuzile yesterday said three main access roads to Bhisho CBD will be temporarily cordoned off until August for phase one of the Bhisho revitalisation programme.
Phalo Avenue – which runs from the Amatola Sun traffic lights past the treasury and cooperative governance and traditional affairs departments to Bhisho police station – will be off limits to motorists until March 15.
Zuzile said Independence Avenue will then be cordoned off between First National Bank and Phalo Avenue in the CBD from February 29 to August 1, while Siwane Avenue – a small road between his department and the old Pick n Pay building – will be closed to motorists between April 6 and July 18.
The three roads, which have been accommodating traffic in both directions, will become one-way streets. The other roads are to be paved and used as walkways with benches for seating and trees, and a number of parking areas around the CBD are also up for a facelift.
Zuzile said about R28-million had been set aside for such roads and parking area upgrades. A new parking area along Circular Drive will also be built.
Zuzile yesterday conceded that construction of the roads “will cause inconvenience” for staff members in various government departments and people visiting Bhisho.
However, he added that the revamps will go a long way to restore the face of the provincial capital to its former glory.
“Also, as part of the project, several other roads in the Bhisho CBD will be rehabilitated and paved, and the drainage improved,” said Zuzile.
“Separate measures for MECs will be arranged for them to be dropped off and picked up in front of their department buildings.”
About two years ago the Daily Dispatch reported that in a bid to save costs on leasing offices, there were plans to build a R1.2-billion office precinct as part of the Bhisho revitalisation programme.
Zuzile yesterday said that move was progressing well.
“Good progress is being made in relation to the new initiative to construct the Bhisho office precinct.
“The application for the approval of the appointment of a strategic partner has been recommended by provincial treasury.
“It was submitted to National Treasury on November 26.
“Negotiations between our department, the Development Bank of South Africa and Buffalo City Metro have commenced to discuss the financing for the provision of bulk infrastructure for that project,” Zuzile revealed. — asandan@ dispatchlive.co.za/
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