Johannesburg - If you live in Midrand, Zandfontein, Dobsonville or Strijdom Park, you are seeing the worst of Joburg’s potholes and rain damage.
But the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) says it has sent teams to start repairs.
The agency will prioritise the roads closed because they have become impassable, such as where bridges have collapsed because of the heavy rains.
Bertha Peters-Scheepers, JRA spokeswoman, said they would fill potholes temporarily and then properly once road surfaces were completely dry.
With a large portion of the City of Joburg’s R110 billion capital infrastructure budgeted for the next decade, many of the roads and stormwater drains are to be upgraded.
Stormwater safety conversions are also being made to ensure the safety of residents during flooding.
“Much of the infrastructure is old,” she said.
The agency now had its own asphalt plant, so there should be no delays as far as that was concerned, she said.
“We are confident that we will be able to keep up with the repairs of the hundreds of potholes, which have been reported since the start of the rains,” she said.
She said she could not give a figure for the number of potholes until a full inspection had been completed.
“Many potholes have been reported more than once so there is duplication,” she said, “which makes it difficult to say at this stage.”
Peters-Scheepers said: “Each region in the city has had teams systematically repairing one area at a time with preference being given to main arterial routes.
“Until such time as they are repaired, we are urging motorists to drive no faster than 40km/h in badly affected areas.
“Motorists should continue to report potholes,” she said.
Road and stormwater issues can be reported at 0860 562 874 / [email protected] / twitter@MyJra / www.jra.co.za
What is the procedure to follow?
* Call or e-mail the JRA claims department about the incident with the date, time and all other relevant information pertaining to the incident. That department will establish whether the alleged incident falls within the JRA’s jurisdiction and, if so, will send the complainant a claim form. This must be accompanied by a police affidavit and ID/driving licences.
* Within three days of receiving the required documents, the JRA will send an acknowledgement of receipt either by telephone or e-mail and also issue a reference number.
Bridges affected which have been prioritised:
* Main Road over the Jukskei at Riverbend.
* Felstead Road – North Riding.
* Watercombe Street over the bridge.
* Farmall agricultural holdings.
* Cornelius Road over the Klein Juskei River.
* Ballyclare Drive over the Braamfontein Spruit in Bryanston.
* Niven Road over the river in Douglasdale.
* Riverside Road over river in Ivory Park.
* Coleraine Drive over the river in Sandton.
Part of the future R110 billion project highlights:
* Construction of Naledi Bridge, linking two communities.
* Construction of Le Roux Bridge, Midrand.
* Construction of Alexandra pedestrian bridge.
Road resurfacing includes:
* Jan Smuts Avenue, a section of Republic Road, Sloane Avenue in Randburg, Bara Chris Hani Road, Rosebank, and a R50m resurfacing programme for the M1.
* In 2014/15, R287m will be used for the resurfacing of city roads, including the M1, M2 and the Soweto highway.
* Gravel roads will be upgraded in Diepsloot, Ivory Park, Braam Fischerville, Tshepiso, Lawley, Orange Farm, Doornkop/Thulani and City Deep.
The Star