THE City of Joburg has experienced a lot of rain in the past week, resulting in infrastructural damage that needs to be assessed.
And, the urgent repair has been estimated to cost the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) about R150 million. This was said during the media briefing led by Transport MMC Funzi Ngobeni and the JRA on Thursday, 15 December.
The JRA team discussed the impact of Climate Change on roads and infrastructure while experts advised on the current state, together with the plans that had been put in place to deal with the heavy rainfall season.
In the event of localised flooding, the JRA’s response team was able to ensure that roads were made safe, stormwater drains cleared and roads closed off to traffic until the water subsided.
The regional stand-by teams, operating after business hours, continued to respond to emergencies through coordination with other entities such as City Power, Joburg City Parks and Zoo, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department as well as Emergency Management Services as and when needed.
Agency head of planning Musa Mkhacane briefed the media on the long- and short-term measures to address drainage and improving roads infrastructure.
He noted that it would take JRA about two weeks to completely assess the extent of the damage.
He further said a flood impact study indicated that the affected roads, sidewalks and stormwater drainage systems that needed urgent repair would cost about R150 million.
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“Once finalised and budget has been allocated, plans to rehabilitate affected roads will be communicated. Critical infrastructure such as bridges, inclusive of culvert structures and stormwater channels remain a priority for the JRA. Our bridge inventory list, that consists of 1 592 structures, is categorised as bridges, major culverts and lesser culverts,” said Mkhacane.
He added that a total of 935 structures were constructed over water courses and 657 over roads or railways tracks while 902 of the overall structures were classified as bridge structures.
Due to collapse and potential imminent risk to road users and the community, some of the bridges had been closed off.
Ngobeni pleaded with residents to be patient as they dealt with these issues.
“We thank residents that they have already showed their patience and worked with us in areas where they have been affected. We want them to continue to do so and be cautious on the roads as we are expecting a lot of rain in the next few days,” he said.
He advised residents not to drive over bridges that were flooded.
“Be careful, whether driving or walking. Make sure that you’re on the safe side,” he added.
Residents are urged not to remove barriers/cones placed on the roads as they serve to alert them.
