City to spend millions to improve Region C roads
01 July 2015
The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has set aside more than R90-million in its capital budget to undertake several major roads infrastructure projects in the City’s Region C for the 2015/16 financial year starting 1 July 2015.
The region covers the North-western area of the City of Johannesburg, which includes Dobsonville, Doornkop, Bramfischerville, Weltevredenpark, Roodepoort and Ruimsig; parts of Randburg; and northern suburbs such as Olivedale, Northriding, Cosmo City and Zandspruit.
The projects that JRA (the City of Johannesburg’s roads infrastructure development, repairs and maintenance entity) is currently implementing, include the rebuilding of two badly flood damaged culverts; roads resurfacing, road reconstruction and rehabilitation as well as an on-going infrastructure maintenance programme.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Transport, Councillor Christine Walters says the projects are not only expected to improve the general quality of roads across the regionbut will also help ease traffic congestion and boost economic activity in the city.
According to the JRA’s Acting Managing Director, Mpho Kau, the bulk of the capitalexpenditure – approximately R75 million – will be channelled towards the City’s extensive Gravel Roads Upgrade Programme, benefiting a number of areas in Region C. Gravel Roads are upgraded to asphalt surface with associated storm water drainage systems as well as pavements or sidewalks in line with the Complete Street standards.
Tshepisong, will receive R22 million from the programme, whereas work in Doornkop and Thulani is underway at a cost of R23 million and Bramfischerville has been allocated R30 million.
The JRA has also set aside an additional R10 million to continue the conversion of open storm water drains to underground systems in Bramfischerville and a further R5million for essential upgrades of storm water drainage systems in Mmesi Park and Flamingo.
Initial estimates indicate that additional planned agricultural holding gravel road rehabilitation in Northriding and Honeydew and in the vicinity of Cypress and other main roads during the 2015-2016 financial year will cost around R6 million.
Over and above this, JRA will continue with the rollout of 12 roads resurfacing, rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in Region C’s 1 798 km roads network. The proactive easing of traffic flows and improvement of safety along key routes is a priority and news stop signs have been installed in Honeydew View and traffic signals to alleviate congestion at the crossing of Jim Fouche and Wilhelmina Roads, Paul Kruger and Amplifier as well as upgrading traffic signals and pedestrian walkways as part of its Geometric Improvement Programme.
Work will also include comprehensive street maintenance; the repairing, maintenance and installation of traffic signals; and the installation of remote monitoring (CCTV) systems at key points, including crime hot spots.
The municipal-owned entity has in the current financial year successfully completed the highly technical reconstruction of a collapsed culvert and partially collapsed roadway at the Felstead Road bridge in Northriding. In addition, the reconstruction and modification of a collapsed major culvert that threatened the road embankment at the Cornelius Road bridge, spanning the Klein Jukskei River in Weltevredenpark was also completed both at a cost of R18million. In the 2015/16 financial year, remedial work will be undertaken on Harpuis Street culvert (Weltervredenpark) and Dolfhout road over river (Weltervredenpark).
Furthermore, in the current financial year JRA fixed more than 45 000 potholes in the region against a target of 43 000. It also plans to clean 7 526 kerb inlets along main arterials this winter.