Currently at 80% completion, the bridge will connect the community of Molapo to the Jabulani Node and the Jabulani CBD. It will also create a socially and economically integrated future for the two Soweto communities who, despite living a stone’s throw apart, have been separated by a railway line.
The Jabulani Node was identified as one of the City’s signature projects for using Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) as a catalyst to accelerate socio-economic development, by revitalising a neighbourhood for residents, commuters, businesses and visitors.
The Johannesburg Development Agency, on behalf of the City of Johannesburg, has been implementing the construction of Molapo Bridge which forms part of Phase 7 of the Jabulani Node in Soweto, Region D.
The JDA is guided by the overarching frameworks of the National Development Plan, the Gauteng 2055 vision, the CoJ’s GDS 2040 and CoJ’s SDF. A key enabler of the City’s Joburg 2040 vision, TODs seeks to establish vibrant, liveable communities living in compact, walkable neighbourhoods centred on high-quality transport systems.
The scope of works for the construction of Molapo Bridge includes extending and upgrading an existing pedestrian bridge at Inhlazane train station, building a new pedestrian and vehicular bridge over a railway line and new approach roads and public environment upgrade.
Molapo bridge is not only a catalytic measure to create an economically viable, integrated environment that connects people opportunities to live, work and play; it is a project in alignment with the JDA’s objective of supporting the growth and development of strategic economic nodes into high quality, investor friendly and sustainable urban environments.
While Jabulani falls outside of the Johannesburg’s main development corridors, it is still an important district node within Soweto as it has become a node that thrives economically, with a balanced mixed of land-uses and developments which all work in synergy to form a coherent and integrated centre within the southern western township.
The Jabulani TOD is being undertaken in seven phases and is currently at Phase 5, Phase 6B and Phase 7 of development. Phase 5, currently at 80% completion, entails the expansion and upgrading of Bolani Road and Phase 6B, currently at 90% completion, entails the development of a community and recreational environment for people of all ages consisting of a Jabulani Community Facility and a SAFA Safe Hub.
“The introduction of the Bolani Bridge will see the Jabulani Node become a more sustainable development the area, allowing a socially and economically integrated environment between these two communities of Ward 33 and 34,” Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Development Planning, Cllr Thapelo Amad said.
“This project is another example how the City producing safe, attractive, liveable environments which will promote improving social cohesion and encourage further investment,” Cllr Amad said.
