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One of the City of Johannesburg’s most significant infrastructure developments in terms of scope and scale has received an entry into the 2022 Fulton Awards.

The Watt Interchange, which lies on the Louis Botha Development Corridor, saw 100 000m3 of earthworks materials moved and 13 000m2 of shotcrete undertaken, making it a stellar entry for the 2022 awards.

The awards recognise and honour excellence and innovation in the use of concrete in southern Africa.

The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), on behalf of the Transport Department in the City, implemented the construction of the Watt Interchange as an artery for the enablement of the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System Phase 1C trunk route operation.

The interchange forms part of the Rea Vaya operations from Sandton to Alexandra, along Rivonia Road and Katherine Drive, and the trunk route from Parktown to Alexandra, along Louis Botha Avenue.

Once operational, the interchange will stand as a high-quality integrated public transport interchange, consisting of the following key elements:

•           Underground basement loading and off-loading bays;

•           Commuter Information Area

•           Designated trunk route

•           Universally accessible facility

Construction at the Watt Interchange included demolition of the previous bridge and the interchange at Watt Street, upstand concrete beams, allocation and relocation of services, construction decks and retaining wall construction.

“We are excited to receive the honour as an entry for the 2022 Fulton Awards. The Watt Interchange is another example of how the JDA manages and facilitates developments efficiently. The innovation of Watt Interchange is an equitable, sustainable and resilient city,” said Siyabonga Genu, the Acting Chief Executive Officer at JDA.

In keeping with the JDA’s processes and practices to support job creation and enterprise and skills development for disadvantaged groups of women and youth, a total of 31 local small business contractors. The project employed about 246 labourers from the local community.

The City of Joburg’s Transport Department is the ultimate custodian of the infrastructure to enable the functionality of the BRT Rea-Vaya system, an investment in conjunction with the National Department of Transport. To realise the overall objectives of providing the required public transport facilities to South African citizens.

Facts about the Watt Interchange project:

•           Earthworks included over 100 000m3 materials moved

•           18 km of ground anchors, 10 km of soil nails, and 13 000 m2 of shotcrete installed. 

•           One of the City of Joburg’s most significant and complex infrastructure developments in terms of scope and scale

•           The project included the construction of new BRT lanes and underground stations

Previous JDA projects that have won a Fulton Award include the Nelson Mandela Bridge and the Constitutional Court of South Africa. 

For more information:

Elias Nkabinde 

Email: enkabinde@jda.org.za  

076 961 8022 

www.jda.org.za

ABOUT THE FULTON AWARDS

The 2022 Fulton Awards continues a tradition spanning more than four decades of recognising and honouring excellence and innovation in the use of concrete in southern Africa.

Forty-two years have passed since the awards were first presented as a tribute to the late Dr Sandy Fulton, the pioneer of the concrete industry in South Africa. Her visionary approaches to concrete technology, coupled with his contribution to the construction industry both in South Africa and internationally, led to his name becoming synonymous with quality, commitment, and distinctive concrete technology. 

Excellence in the design, use and innovation in concrete have always been the motivation for these prestigious awards. 

Issued by The Johannesburg Development Agency