30 April 2009

CONSTRUCTION of the Mangaung Intermodal Public Transport Facility as the biggest inner city regeneration project the city of Mangaung has ever undertaken, is progressing on schedule and on Monday, 30 March 2009 the site was handed over to the contractors for the second phase of the project.

In order to facilitate this, taxis are being relocated to an alternative Ranking Site for the duration of the construction period. This alternative site is located behind the Centlec Cooling Towers.

The multi–storey Mangaung Intermodal Public Transport Facility consists of a ground floor, first floor, second floor and a third floor which has the following to offer:

Accommodate 800 taxis within the building and 150 long distance taxis on Bastion Square,

An elevated pedestrian walkway over Hanger Street linking Central Park to the facility to minimise pedestrian/vehicle conflict. Commuters will be able to take a commuter bus to the different destinations in and around the city as well as Thaba Nchu and Botshabelo

The building will span over Harvey Road to link up to the Bloemfontein Heritage Railway Station,

Long distance bus operation facilities on the ground floor (coaches),

Three vertical circulation towers which will be friendly towards people with disabilities.

Cycle lockers where cyclists can lock up their bicycles and take a different mode of transport.

Dedicated metered taxi bays,

Structured hawker facilities

Formal retail areas on the ground and first floor that will generate income to maintain the building.

The facility will also be managed by a facilities management company and security people will monitor movement on foot and with a CCTV system.

As a point of entry into the city, the Mangaung Intermodal Transport Facility will play a vital role, while at the same time public transport modes in the city are to be brought under one roof, limiting traffic congestion and constituting a safe environment for commuters and operators. The project is furthermore having a secondary urban renewal effect.

For the duration of the construction phase of the project, Harvey Road between Maitland and St Georges Streets will be closed.

The community is therefore requested to use alternative routes so as to allow a smooth flow of traffic and unhampered progress of the project, which is estimated to be completed within 15 months.

For more information, contact Qondile Khedama: GM Communications of Mangaung Local Municiaplity, at (051) 405 8255.

Source: Mangaung