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The newly constructed pedestrian cross-over at Matoks (Botlokwa).

Matoks will remain a 60km/h zone

 

Despite the newly constructed pedestrian cross-over that was recently opened at Matoks, the speed limit along this stretch of the N1 will remain at 60 km/h.

Following the “opening” of this stretch of the N1 that cuts through the middle of the Botlokwa (Matoks) village, many residents questioned the speed limit of 60 km/h.

“I saw a 60 zone sign board there; I thought they were left (there) by mistake, because the N1 road is a 120 km zone. Am I wrong?” wrote Segobedi Sefala to the newspaper. He was one of many readers who had similar concerns.  

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) confirmed this week that the speed limit through Matoks will remain at 60 km/h.

“The most important aim of the project was to build two pedestrian bridges and a main vehicle bridge over the N1 to ensure that villagers can cross safely. A section of the N1 – a distance of 1.5km – was also upgraded after the main construction of the bridges.

“The town is divided by the busy highway. As a result, some people live on one side, but do their shopping or attend school on the other. In recent years, the community has seen more and more road fatalities. Paying a simple visit to a friend’s house was a life-threatening exercise,” says SANRAL in a press release.

SANRAL explains that the community also wanted a level crossing at the busiest intersection, so that the bridge would be at ground level. Subsequently, the N1 was dropped by seven metres, the vehicle bridge was built with two three-metre-wide walkways on either side of the road lanes and the two additional pedestrian bridges at either end of the village were constructed above street level.

In total, the project lowered 1.4km of the highway.

“The road was lowered at highly pedestrian-trafficked sections, to make it easier for the community and for their safety. There are intersections on both sides of the village. Therefore, the speed limit is still required to be lowered to 60 km/h,” explained the Matoks project manager, Tshidi Lethale.

 

Date:30 July 2017

By: Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

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