JOHANNESBURG– THE City of Joburg on (today) Thursday launched the roll-out of a multi-million rand upgrade of the city’s highways and other roads.
“R365 million has been set aside to upgrade the Soweto freeway, the M1 and M2 highways to improve mobility on the municipal roads,” the city said.
“In addition, R152 million has been earmarked for the construction and rehabilitation of bridges across the city. This is part of the City’s R110 billion infrastructure investment over 10 years that is also directed at changing the spatial design of the metropolitan in a bid to ease congestion and flooding on the city’s roads.”
The projects would be undertaken by the city’s Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA). The agency is responsible for the maintenance and development of Johannesburg’s road network and storm water infrastructure, traffic lights and road signage.
“The upgrade of our roads infrastructure is part of our efforts to create a better future for our residents where we can link jobs to people and people to jobs – in line with the objectives of our spatial transformation programme, the Corridors of Freedom,” Johannesburg mayor Parks Tau said.
During recent inspections of 814 bridges in the city by the JRA, it found that some required rehabilitation such as upgrades, construction and expansion, said acting managing director Mpho Kau.
He added that upgrades on some of the bridges would result in possible road closures.
“However, the end result will ensure that residents are ultimately able to travel to their destinations faster and more safely.Their maintenance and rehabilitation is important as it ensures that the movement of people, as well as goods and services, continues effectively and efficiently.”
Work was already underway on the Naledi Bridge in Soweto, to link Naledi and Protea.
Pedestrian and vehicular bridges in Soweto prone to flooding, including the Jabulani-Molapo, Kinini-Leselinyala, Zulu, Mzilikazi, Kaalfontein, Klipspruit West, Slovo Park and Diepsloot bridges, would all be raised above the flood line. – ANA
