The N1 between Jhb and Centurion had a duct in the centre that allowed drainage of excess water, which was closed up to allow for some extra road surface. The ribbed concrete surface that allowed some natural drainage of water while still providing traction was also buggered up by applying the sub-standard layer of tar over the concrete.
In the normal Gauteng thunderstorms the N1 now becomes a series of small rivers which causes havoc and forces traffic to slow down even more than before the upgrade.
All the Freeway lanes are narrower than before and no vehicle can safely stop in the emergency lanes if it breaks down. Emergency vehicles and the 'Blue Light Brigade' that occasionally attempt to make use of the emergency lane causes serious confusion for the average motorist, especially due to the fact that they are forced to squeeze into or merge with the traffic lanes at times.
My peak hour commute still takes an hour between Centurion and Sandton - same as before the upgrade.
The only improvement I can see 'sort of working', is the Allandale offramp which was needed in any case due to the growth explosion in Midrand. That has no direct impact on my life anyway, and should be part of standard City Planning if officials actually do their jobs instead of just filling seats and lining their pockets.
This 'upgrade' used about the same amount of planning, insight and brain power as the concept of the traffic 'calming' lights that was slapped onto each onramp a while ago.
There is no way in hell anyone will convince me that this was an 'improvement' that requires me to pay for it.
