The Ben Schoeman freeway is opened

The Ben Schoeman N1 freeway between Johannesburg and Pretoria, named after the then minister of transport, was opened on this date. In the forty years of its existence, traffic volume has increased to such an extent that it poses a serious problem. In an effort to ease congestion on the Ben Schoeman - carrying 160 000 vehicles per day - an intelligent transport system (ITS), serving to monitor and improve the flow of traffic, has been implemented. SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) plans to add an additional lane in each direction and to install toll gates to ease the situation. It is also hoped that the Gautrain will drastically improve the condition. Sources: ---, (2005). 'Pretoria 1855-2005: Chronologie 1798-1935', Bylaag tot Rekord. http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=79922