Johannesburg - An emergency road maintenance campaign to fix damage caused by recent heavy rain was launched by Gauteng roads and transport MEC Ismail Vadi on Tuesday.
Wearing bright green overalls, Vadi told reporters an assessment of damage to the province's roads was conducted and repairs were now underway.
Standing between craters in the surface of the N14 Beyers Naude off-ramp, Vadi said the province was fortunate that no major roads were washed away.
“With all the rain in the last few weeks there have been a massive number of potholes... and some sink holes emerging.”
The department hoped to fix the province's potholes in the next two to three weeks, with its 260-strong maintenance crew.
“It's not just potholes that worry us, but a number of low-lying bridges have been severely damaged and sink holes have emerged in some areas.”
Bridges on Weaver Road, Kameeldrift, Shickfontein Road, Heidelberg, and Heronbridge Road, near Krugersdorp, were identified for urgent repairs.
Vadi said the N14, between Brakfontein interchange and Hendrick Potgieter Road in Mogale City, would be revamped over the next two years at an estimated cost of R500 million.
Tenders had been issued for upgrades to the N12 between Misgund interchange, near Eldorado Park, and Merafong, as well as for the rehabilitation of the R28 between Randfontein and Vereeniging.
Some parts of the Golden Highway, around Eldorado Park and Devaland, as well as the R101 would also be repaired.
Vadi said the N14 and N12 would not be tolled to cover the costs, as funding from the department's budget would cover the cost of repairs.
Sapa