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| Nasrec walkway is finished |
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| Written by Ndaba Dlamini |
| 23 February 2010 |
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View from the pedestrian bridge
Built at a cost of R82-million, the walkway straddles the Rea Vaya busway and railway line, giving football fans and journalists from the International Broadcasting Centre (IBC) easy access to the stadium. "The pedestrian bridge is more than 50 metres long, including the ramps on both sides of the promenade. It provides a north-south link to the transport hub and the stadium," says Nyiko Gudlhuza,a senior Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) project manager. Construction of the pedestrian promenade, a Stefanutti Construction and Moloko Group Holdings joint venture, began in October 2008 and took exactly a year to complete. It is one of several projects that the JDA is developing in the area around Soccer City Stadium, the venue for the opening and final matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. From the Soccer City side, pedestrians encounter an amphitheatre that can accommodate about 500 people. 
The easy access walkway
There are also benches dotting the promenade, giving it a relaxing look. Red and dusty yellow paving bricks have been used heavily; Gudlhuza says this has been done "to ensure the promenade complements the colour of the calabash [of the stadium]". "The promenade has quite interesting lighting, similar to that of stadium lighting. The lights give off lighting in the shape of flames at night. We want to give the promenade the same feel as the ring of fire." The "ring of fire", the name of the outer, raised podium on which the calabash design of Soccer City Stadium sits, is where turnstiles and ticket booths are located. On top of the "ring of fire" is located the "pit of fire", where the calabash rests. Built into the promenade lights are speakers for announcements relating to events taking place at the stadium. 
The promenade also carries the feel of the 'ring of fire'
People crossing the bridge have a beautiful view of the 90 200-seat stadium. Standing in the middle of the walkway, one has an uninterrupted view of Soccer City, with the Johannesburg skyline and the famous Telkom Tower forming a postcard background. There is also a good view of the IBC, where thousands of broadcasters from around the world will be based during the football tournament. The IBC is set to be opened on 16 April. The pedestrian promenade is part of the greater Nasrec precinct, which features new roads, landscaping and public amenities. On its western edge, a new, one-way road known as the Golden Highway is almost complete, linking Lanbou Road to the Soweto Highway.
Story: City of Johannesburg |
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The Johannesburg Development Agency, set up as a limited liability company, is an agency of the City of Johannesburg that stimulates and supports area-based economic development initiatives throughout the metropolitan area.