The traffic circle at the intersection of Cradock Road, Worcester and Somerset Streets is currently under construction with a number of lanes being compromised.
The traffic circle at the intersection of Cradock Road, Worcester and Somerset Streets is currently under construction with a number of lanes being compromised.
According to Geoff Robert, director of Aurecon Consulting Engineers, the project arose out of a request from St Andrew’s College two years ago to look at how the safety of pedestrians could be improved.
The project was approved by Makana Municipality last November. Construction of the R3.5-million traffic circle is funded by the provincial Department of Roads and Transport as the road is part of a provincial road through Grahamstown that leads to other towns and beyond.
The circle is expected to take up to four months to complete and involves an improvement of raised pedestrian crossings for scholars from nearby schools. The intersection will be renovated in stages and while portions of it will be closed to traffic, it will remain operational during construction.
The current construction on the circle will remain as is for about a month and a half. When motorists drive from the centre of town along Somerset Street, they may not turn left into Worcester Street while contruction is taking place.
While vehicles can enter Worcester Street from Milner Street, it is now a t-junction. The Pear Lane link to Cradock Road.
The Pear Lane link to Cradock Road is now closed and a temporary link from Bedford Street to Cradock Road is open, while construction to the permanent link opposite Durban Street is already underway.
