The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) is on a mission to resurface the City’s roads as part of its commitment to enhancing the City’s infrastructure. This extensive initiative encompasses asphalt overlays, re-tarring, and crack sealing on various roads throughout the City, reflecting the JRA’s dedication to improving road quality and addressing long-standing issues such as potholes. Kwazelela Mcetywa, the JRA’s Head of Infrastructure Development, says the programme aims to reinstate the quality of deteriorated road surfaces and it is a long-term approach to addressing potholes and extending the lifespan of roads.
“Road resurfacing is a rolling programme, which is developed and implemented on an annual basis. The JRA periodically undertakes a visual conditions assessment on the state of roads across all seven regions in the City of Johannesburg. This assessment helps to categorise the status or quality of roads ranging from ‘very poor to very good’. Roads that have badly deteriorated and cannot be fixed through pothole patching or crack sealing are then prioritised for resurfacing,” explains Mcetywa.
The number of roads resurfaced annually is determined by the availability of budget during that financial year.
It is for this reason that resurfacing is designed as a programme and not a project.
The resurfacing scope entails the milling out of aged or deteriorated asphalt (what is commonly referred to as tar) and laying new asphalt, which is about 30mm thick.
While Region A has already witnessed noticeable improvements, the resurfacing programme extends citywide.
Roads that have been resurfaced in Region A include Pharmaceutical Road, 15th Road and 16th Road in Randjies Estate. In Glen Austin George Road were upgraded from 15th Road to R 101 and from Rosie’s Place Road to Austin Road.
In Halfway House the following roads were resurfaced, namely, Richard Street, Suttie Avenue, Barlow Road, and Richard Street. 15th and 16th Roads were resurfaced and completed in June 2023.
Mcetywa says newly resurfaced roads improve the riding quality for motorists as the roads tend to be smooth. “Motorists must continue to drive cautiously and adhere to the speed limit. It is easy for accidents to take place when it rains, and the roads are slippery,” he notes.
Motorist should be aware that road markings on newly resurfaced roads is carried out three weeks after resurfacing. This delay ensures that the tar sets firmly and dries adequately before the application of road markings. This approach not only enhances the safety of motorists but also contributes to the longevity of the road infrastructure.
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
08/02/2024
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