The city of Cape Town in South Africa has started construction of six additional road projects in a bid to ease traffic congestion.

In addition to these, 16 additional road projects are currently being planned.

The city has allocated a budget of R481m ($36.32m) to address traffic congestion over the next three financial years starting next month.

City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Transport and Urban Development Councillor Brett Herron said: “The money has been allocated to six road projects that are currently under construction, two in Kuils River, two in Kommetjie, one in Somerset West, and one in the Milnerton area, as well as to another 16 projects that are currently in the planning and design phase.”

“A study conducted throughout the city identified Blaauwberg, Kuils River, and Kommetjie as the worst congested regions.”

In December 2015, the City Council started the Congestion Management Programme, which allowed for five new roads to be added to Cape Town’s road network.

The council committed an investment of R750m ($56.63m) over a period of five financial years under the programme to reduce congestion by focusing on the worst affected areas of Cape Town.

A study conducted throughout the city identified Blaauwberg, Kuils River, and Kommetjie as the worst congested regions.

Subsequently, Transport and Urban Development Authority (TDA) officials identified the scope of expansion, which included widening and building new road links in these areas to relieve traffic congestion.

Officials also proposed improving the capacity of busy intersections and interchanges.

Herron added: “Five road construction projects, one in the Blaauwberg area, three in Kuils River, and one in Bellville, were completed by May this year.

“Residents from these areas would have experienced the difference by now, and are benefitting from our investment by spending less time on the road.”

Cape Town is estimated to have R5bn ($380m) of roads infrastructure projects that need completing across the city, according to data from April 2017.