Cape Town - Work is under way on the second phase of the City of Cape Town MyCiTi project, which includes a R4 billion investment in a corridor from Lansdowne to Wetton.
Construction in some areas has already begun, although services on the network, which will serve more than 1.4 million commuters will only start running in 2020.
The city has already advertised its contract for the design and construction of the stations on two new trunk routes in Phase 2A.
More than 30 communities will be connected by the two intertwined routes which will form the new corridor’s 53km “spine”.
One trunk route from Khayelitsha will run along Japhta K Masemola Road, while the second trunk route in Mitchells Plain will go along AZ Berman Drive.
The two routes will interconnect along Govan Mbeki Road between Stock and Strandfontein roads.
The city said detailed design work would begin soon on the feeder routes and infrastructure that would link schools and community facilities to the corridor.
The city will consult with existing public transport operators along the MyCiTi route.
As with the first phase of the network, the corridor will include cycle paths, pedestrian footpaths, road and signalling upgrades, better lighting, public art and landscaping.
Funding will come from a national government grant and a portion of city rates.
Although still in the design phase, the project has been dogged by controversy as it involves the demolition of 26 houses in South Road and surrounding areas. The tenants, whose leases expired at the end of January, refuse to move and face eviction.
Although the residents live in a proclaimed road scheme, and their leases stipulated that they could be asked to move if the municipality needed the land, they have argued that the project is being pushed through without proper consultation.
The matter has been picked up by the provincial government.
The provincial transport department has been invited to make a presentation to the Western Cape government’s standing committee on transport and public works.
Community members, represented by the South Road Family Association, have also met with representatives of the National Council of Provinces about their concerns.
Although some residents were offered alternative accommodation by the city, many of the 26 say they will not budge.
The city has said that many of the tenants owe municipality a combined R4.5 million.
Brett Herron, mayoral committee member for transport, said: “The implementation of public infrastructure of this scale will affect some people’s lives.
“But this project is vital for the long-term sustainability of our city and the wellbeing of its people.”
Cape Argus