Speaking at a media briefing on 27 July at Africa Museum in Newtown, the managing director of the agency, Duduzile Maseko, said the JRA was committed to service delivery. “We will be running parallel projects; we will be continuing with our normal projects even during the 90-day programme.”

Some R70-million had been allocated to the full programme.

Already, damaged roads in Naledi, Soweto have been repaired; they will officially be opened next week. Upgraded roads include the Moyo and Monoko streets intersection, one of the busiest.

Roads will also be repaired in Zondi, Jabavu, Sandhurst and Alexandra, among other places. “During this period, the JRA aims to have at least 17 potholes closed and 50 kilometres of road resurfaced or reconstructed as part of its 90-day service delivery programme.

“About R20-million has been put aside … to ensure that 200 identified main roads are pothole free,” said Maseko. In total, the JRA is responsible for more than 10 000 kilometres of tarred roads and over 2 000 signalised intersections.

In addition, R20-million would be allocated to repair storm water drainage in various areas. They include Marlboro Drive in Wendywood; Dobsonville taxi rank; Morris Street in Woodmead; Oaklands Road in Orchards; Kya Sands Road; Wyoming Avenue in Berario; Ouklip Road in Helderkruin; Ruwenzori Street in Florida Hills; Richmond/Marlboro in Craighall Park; Hampton Court Road in Gallo Manor; Soetdoring and Bentley Park.

Drainage
In Alexandra, storm water drains were being installed and roads upgraded along the June 16 trail that is being built. It ran along the historically significant Realogile Primary School, and came after the completion of the trail in Soweto.

“Often storm water drainage systems are blocked and this poses a serious danger to pedestrians and motorists,” Maseko said, urging people to refrain from dumping rubbish in storm water drains.

She also said 120 solar powered traffic lights would be installed, as would power saving LED traffic lights. A remote traffic monitoring traffic system would also be set up. More than 200 areas had earmarked for modernised traffic lights.

On the day, the JRA introduced a first of its kind long range camera that will be used to monitor traffic. Such cameras will be mounted around the city, so traffic officers can monitor the traffic. The cameras will feed the traffic centre with on-time traffic information.

The agency has partnered with the Johannesburg metro police department and City Power in rolling out the project.

Regarding potholes, Maseko said a vehicle, fitted with high-tech camera and scanning equipment would be used to monitor the quality of roads. It would be driven around the city.

Maseko commended the project, saying that it would enable the JRA to act quickly in curbing potholes.