The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) tackled over 200 potholes in Region E on Thursday, 28 February in a massive drive to repair structural defects on City roads.
Using the technologically advanced jetpatcher, a fast and efficient self-service machine, the City entity charged with road infrastructure repaired potholes and sidewalks/pavements in Woodmead.
They also cut overgrown grass and renewed road-markings at the intersection of Woodmead Drive and Water Crescent.
The JRA’s technical teams were led by the Executive Mayor of the City of Joburg, Cllr Herman Mashaba and the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport, Nonhlanhla Makhuba.
“It’s very important to always inspect and repair the structural integrity of the City’s roads following rainy seasons,” said Mayor Mashaba.
The JRA’s comprehensive service delivery model in Region E comes at the back of torrential rains in Johannesburg, which left some road infrastructure damaged.
Goodwill Mbatha, the entity’s Managing Director has conceded that the JRA has a maintenance backlog of eliminating structural defects on the City’s roads, hence they decided to use the jetpatcher to accelerate service delivery.
“The jetpatcher technology helps us fast-track repairs of potholes. As a labour intensive agency, we rely on general workers but they have limitations in that they can only repair a few potholes per shift,” Mbatha explained.
The move to restore the structural integrity of the City’s roads was done in a bid to improve mobility and the general quality of roads, which are essential for improved economic activity.
Motorists who drove past the areas being serviced appeared pleased with the progress made in repairing potholes. “These road repairs will surely improve mobility. I just wish this can be done more frequently,” said Michael Smith, a frequent road user.
Another road user, Maphuthi Mailula said she expected her driving to be more enjoyable on the City’s roads now that repairs are being carried out. “It means I am safe, even if it is raining I won’t fear driving. Economically, I will no longer need to change tyres now and again because of potholes,” Mailula added.
Similar service delivery campaigns will be carried out in several parts of the City in the coming weeks.
