The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has triumphantly re-commissioned its asphalt plant situated in Booysens, marking a significant milestone after a prolonged period of dormancy spanning a year. The plant, an indispensable bastion responsible for crafting the essential asphalt needed for the City's road construction and repairs, was compelled to halt operations in August 2022 owing to an array of technical and operational hurdles, most notably the absence of an appointed bitumen supplier, a crucial component in the production of asphalt.
Zweli Nyathi, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the JRA, expressed his contentment at the recent developments.
"We are pleased to announce the finalisation of a new bitumen supplier and that today our asphalt plant is being re-commissioned to full operation," says Nyathi.
He says the revival of the asphalt plant carries profound implications for the City. It empowers the JRA to resume autonomous provision of asphalt, underpinning road maintenance and construction undertakings.
This, in turn, not only promises heightened operational efficiency but also translates into substantial fiscal savings, a testament to the JRA's steadfast commitment to responsible resource management.
The JRA's asphalt plant boasts a production capacity of 200 tonnes per hour, equating to an impressive 1,520 tonnes per day.
This impressive production volume translates to the potential to resurface approximately 2.5 kilometres of road daily.
The asphalt mixture from the plant plays a pivotal role in a range of applications.
The hot mix variant finds permanence in road repairs, resurfacing, and construction, while the cold bagged mix assumes a temporary yet indispensable role in emergency repairs.
The latter cold mix plant is presently operational, churning out 40 bags of cold mix per tonne as per demand.
Nyathi says the inception of the new asphalt plant in 2018 came as a response to the perils posed by its predecessor, a plant that had endured since the 1960s, becoming a health hazard due to its emission of pollutants and an inaptitude to cater to the escalating asphalt needs demanded by the City's road maintenance and infrastructure initiatives.
Councillor Kenny Kunene, the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport, lauded the re-commissioning of the JRA's asphalt plant as a momentous accomplishment.
"The JRA no longer has to rely on third parties for the supply of hot and cold mix to fix potholes and resurface roads. With this plant now fully operational, service delivery for road maintenance, including pothole repairs, will be greatly improved, benefiting all road users while easing the movement of people and goods," Kenene explains.
Asphalt tar roads command a substantial portion, about 12,431 kilometres to be precise, of Johannesburg's extensive 13,599-kilometre road network.
To ensure the integrity of this extensive network, the JRA undertakes meticulous visual condition assessments at regular intervals.
As a general rule, South African roads maintain an approximate lifespan of 25 years, necessitating consistent and proactive maintenance efforts.
The deterioration of road conditions is influenced by multifarious factors, including extreme weather patterns, a lack of pre-emptive maintenance, neglect of stormwater management, undue stress caused by heavy vehicles, and the unregulated excavation of road networks for the integration of new services.
Guided by a meticulously formulated approach to road management, the JRA places paramount importance on visual condition assessment, informing a response plan that champions the preservation of existing road infrastructure and averts its descent into disrepair.
The comprehensive visual condition assessment carried out on the City's road network uncovered an imperative need for resurfacing, with 2,852 kilometres of roads slated for this crucial procedure. Moreover, a concerning 3,968 kilometres languish in a state ranging from poor to very poor, necessitating reconstruction efforts.
Nyathi says the JRA’s response plan encompasses a proactive course of action, including pothole repairs, crack sealing, and road resurfacing, all of which are underpinned by asphalt.
The pressing predicament is further underscored by the substantial R11.8 billion backlog requisite for surfacing and elevating gravel roads.
To realise these goals, the allocation extends to a staggering R7.1 billion for the enhancement of surfaced roads and an additional R4.7 billion for the transformation of gravel roads into asphalt.
Councillor Kunene, despite acknowledging the prevailing budgetary challenges, resounded a steadfast commitment to provide quality roads for motorists in Johannesburg. The present fiscal year (2023/24) will witness an allocation of R111 million, designated to resurface a substantial 112 lane kilometres of the road network.
Spearheading an enduring commitment to road infrastructure enhancement, the JRA's ongoing road resurfacing initiative constitutes an integral component of Johannesburg's urban development.
17/08/2023
