Heritage Cases

JRA proposes that the Conrad bridge over the Braamfontein Spruit be widened northwards to accommodate two lanes from Blairgowrie to Jan Smuts avenue. It is proposed to signalise the Blairgowrie drive and Conrad drive intersection. The proposed upgrades will enable flow of traffic from Blairgowrie area onto Jan Smuts avenue. The widening of the bridge and the associated Conrad Drive that require reconstruction will improve traffic flow in the area as well as resolve bank erosion along Braamfontein spruit. The construction activities on site are envisaged to last for a period of 6months 1.3 Location of Study Area The Conrad Bridge is located near the intersection of Hillcrest Avenue and Conrad Drive and intersection of Jan Smuts Avenue, Bordeaux Drive and Conrad drive in Blairgowrie, Randburg. Refer to locality Map attached within Figure 1. The Widening of Conrad Bridge and the associated Conrad Drive that require reconstruction are both confined to the boundaries of Blairgowrie, on the farm Klipfontein 203IQ.The site falls within the jurisdiction of the City of Johannesburg, Gauteng Province. National Heritage Resources Act (Act No 25 of 1999) Section 38 states that Heritage Impact Assessments (HIAs) are required for certain kinds of development including b) the construction of a bridge or similar structure exceeding 50 m in length; The Conrad Bride will be upgraded by 30 m in length and 19 m wide (proposed footprint of bridge), these are below the thresholds. However, the Bridge is older than 60 years and therefore enjoys general protection under the National Heritage Act. A permit to undertake any alterations on the built environment older than 60 years would be required to be obtained from Gauteng PHRA. It is worth noting that the bridge will not be demolished but widening. It is also worth noting that the Bridge does not fall under a Provincial Heritage Site nor Provisionally protected place. What triggers a permit is that it is a structure that is older than 60 years old