Waterfall Common Services Company signs service level agreement with the JRA
A remarkable step towards infrastructural excellence has been taken in Waterfall City, with the recent partnership between the Waterfall Common Services Company and the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA). This collaboration, a significant move towards enhancing road safety and traffic efficiency, is a testament to Waterfall City’s consistent efforts towards improving the quality of life for its residents, employees and visitors.
Thys Redelinghuys, General Manager of the Waterfall Common Services Company, explained the scope and vision behind this partnership. “For several years, Waterfall City has been maintaining its own road infrastructure, from resurfacing and repainting, to pothole repairs and even traffic light maintenance at times. However, with increasing load shedding incidents and escalating traffic through the development, there is a need to keep our traffic lights operational at all times to ensure that the City remains congestion-free. In discussing solutions, we began talking to the JRA. The result was an agreement that we would provide the necessary backup power to traffic lights within Waterfall City while the JRA would support the overall maintenance of the traffic lights.”
Mutually beneficial
This solution, a testimony to the power of collaborative thinking, consists of installing inverters and power storage systems, and in some cases generator power, to provide uninterrupted power to Waterfall City’s 34 sets of traffic lights. “Our solution is inverters and proper power storage to provide 24/7 power to traffic lights up to level 8 load shedding,” Redelinghuys explained.
The initiative signifies more than just infrastructural improvement. “We are also talking to the JRA about a broader agreement to enhance overall road infrastructure, emphasising the strong relationship between Waterfall City and the JRA,” added Redelinghuys.
The signing ceremony, held on 13 July in Country Estate Drive, was attended by several prominent individuals, including Abigail Ndlovu, Regional Director at City of Johannesburg; Willie Vos, CEO of Waterfall Management Company; Goodwill Nyathi, acting CEO of Johannesburg Roads Association; Annette Deppe, Councillor (DA) in the City of Joburg Ward 132; and Thys Redelinghuys.
The partnership is also opening conversations with the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD). “We’re talking to the JMPD about improving traffic compliance in Waterfall City, reducing speeding, avoiding accidents and clamping down on drinking and driving. These are ongoing but exciting potential conversations,” said Redelinghuys.
World-class City
Reflecting on the larger goals of the development, Redelinghuys stated, “Our objective is to create a first-world environment that is nice to live and work in.” He noted that Waterfall City is not just about providing an efficient and safe urban environment, but also an attractive and aesthetically pleasing one.
Over R1 billion has been spent on upgrading the ancillary road network to improve access to Waterfall City, with traffic studies forming the basis for its well-maintained internal road infrastructure. The City’s infrastructural commitment is also evident in its efforts to control stormwater-induced erosion and manage waste sustainably.
Redelinghuys stated, “Waterfall City is doing a lot of work to upgrade our road infrastructure and common areas to a standard of being safe and beautiful.” This statement encapsulates the essence of the Waterfall City vision – putting in place a set of cornerstones that includes infrastructure that exemplifies the Waterfall City experience and embodies the identity of this lively and collaborative community. It is about creating the perfect blend of community, sustainability, simplicity, and top-tier infrastructure.
The partnership with the JRA represents the City’s commitment to a safer, more efficient, and sustainable future. By addressing infrastructural challenges head-on and seeking innovative solutions, Waterfall City continues to build on its reputation as a world-class smart city. This initiative signifies how collaborative efforts, forward-thinking, and sustainable practices can reshape the urban landscapes of tomorrow.
