JRA to spend R1,6 billion on major roads overhaul
The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) is to spend more than R1,6 billion to rehabilitate, reconstruct and resurface its roads network in a massive, two-pronged intervention to be rolled out over the next three financial years, the municipality-owned entity’s Managing Director, Skhumbuzo Macozoma, announced at a media briefing this week.
Of this amount, more than R1,143 billion will be channelled towards the resurfacing of a total of 3 209km of roads in all the city’s seven regions under the Roads Resurfacing Programme over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), that is between now and the end of the 2016-2017 financial year.
Under this programme, about R190 million has be set aside for the current financial year, increasing to R462 million in 2015-2016 and R491 million in 2016-2017.
The rest of the MTEF budget – about R460 million – will be spent under the Roads Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Programme to rehabilitate and reconstruct about 2 222km of roads throughout the city.
About R80 million of this amount will be spent during the current financial year, with the expenditure growing to R160 million in the 2015-2016 financial year and R220 million in the third financial year of implementation of the programme.
Macozoma said both programmes formed part of the agency’s structured response to managing the City’s 13 428km paved and gravel roads network, which had deteriorated over the years largely as a result of increased traffic levels, vandalism and ageing infrastructure.
He said according to the Visual Condition Index (VCI), 27% of Johannesburg’s roads had deteriorated to “poor” or “very poor” conditions since the last assessment in 2008.
“The deterioration is often reflected in roads failures such as potholes, cracks and depressions. Consequently, JRA has introduced a structured approach to roads management that prioritises the preservation of existing infrastructure, ensuring it is maintained in good condition and preventing any further deterioration,” said Macozoma.
Mpho Kau, JRA’s Head of Infrastructure Development, said the roads identified under the Roads Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Programme were prioritised according to the social and economic roles they played.
“We are hoping to see the earliest rehabilitation and reconstruction of some of the roads by November this year,” said Kau.
Macozoma said the Roads Resurfacing Programme, launched last year by Executive Mayor Mpho Parks Tau, had already started in regions A, C and E. This programme focuses on repairing the top surface of the road.
Kau explained that resurfacing strengthened the roads’ structural capacity and enhanced their skid resistance. He said the reconstruction of roads, on the other hand, involved the removal of the entire structure and rebuilding the base, sub-base and surface to improve storm water drainage and overall structural integrity.
Macozoma reassured residents that while this long-term plan to significantly improve the condition of Johannesburg’s road network got under way, attention would still be given to routine road infrastructure maintenance, including the cleaning of storm water drains, skoffelling, sweeping, pothole repairs and traffic-light maintenance.
He encouraged residents to continue using the award-winning JRA Find and Fix app to report roads-related defects so “together we can work towards ensuring our city’s roads are accessible and safe”.
Roads that will be reconstructed and rehabilitated:
Region A: Lourens Street in Witpoort – from Appaloosa to Shetlander streets, and along Limpopo Road in Ivory Park Extension 13.
Region B: Mollie Street in Delarey between 6th and 14th streets, as well as on Sturdee Avenue in Rosebank, between Rosebank Road and Jellicoe Avenue.
Region C: Ring Road, around and towards Thulani High School, along Steenbras Road from Caledon to Okavango streets in Wilro Park, and along Hexrivier Road, from CR Swart until the dead-end.
Region D: Power Park’s Dynamo Road between Chris Hani and East roads; Elias Motsoaledi Road, between Mputhi and Zulu roads in Jabavu; and along Bolani Link, between Koma and Elias Motsoaledi roads in Jabulani.
Region E: Linbro Park’s Gordon Street, between Clulee Road and Douglas Street; Third Avenue, between Clulee Road and 1st Street; Ronald Road, from Clulee Road to Hilton Road; and Sikhululekile Road, from Luanda Road to Joe Slovo Street in Klipfontein View.
Region F: Liefde-en-Vrede’s Vleiloerie Crescent to Grasvoel Crescent; Bergarend Crescent from Klipview Road to Riethaan Road and along Kranswaeel Crescent from Katlagter Crescent to Riethaan Road. Other roads on the programme include East Cliff’s Satara Street, between Osborn and Hartjie streets, and Syringa Street in Aliverde, between Sycamore and the dead-end.
Region G: Odin Crescent, Thyme Close, Mpumelelo and Aragonite streets, as well as
Mankgagane, Xinimbela, Kokolifitwe, Lebowa streets in Commercia Extension 34; Theresa Street, between Senamorula Road and Intakaza Street, Ihlokohloko Street, between Intakaza Street; and Second Street in Commercia Extension 20.