WATCH: JRA service delivery blitz makes headway with potholes backlog

For the next three weeks the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) service delivery blitz will be in full swing repairing 2 000 potholes and 100 re-instatements in Region F.

On September 17, in Main Reef Road, Denver, MMC for Transport councillor Nonhlanhla Makhuba and her team led the service delivery blitz that will focus on the pothole repairs.

The blitz, which began in August, is underway to tackle the citywide backlog of road defects accumulated over Level 5 to 3 nationwide lockdown period. As the lockdown regulations have eased, the JRA sourced the assistance of contractors to fast track road repairs and other maintenance work.

JRA board chair Dr Albert Mokoena said the service delivery blitz is commendable and he urges the officials to continue with the spirit of blitz. “As we are on Level 1 we expect to see the accelerated service delivery, especially in eradicating potholes in the City,” he said.

HOD regional operations Muziwandile Nkonyane said the state of Johannesburg roads range from fair to very poor and proactive maintenance is key.

“Although we have budget challenges we need to work hard with the budget we have to keep our roads in good shape,” he said.

Region F is the second largest region in the City of Johannesburg and has approximately 1 489 kilometres of surfaced road. Areas such as the great Johannesburg South, the City and suburban Mayfair, Hillbrow and Kensington are among those prioritised for road repairs.

Level 1 and 2 contractors will work with the regional teams throughout the duration of the blitz to close off backlog road-related defects.

Makhuba said, “We had the biggest backlog because of the rain. I’m going to request councillors to work close with JRA to check and trace that all those potholes that are on the list are fixed. The purpose of the blitz is to make sure we deal with the backlog.

“Councillors need to bring forward whatever they see in their areas so that the HOD regional operations will plan for it and attend to it. “City of Johannesburg residents are encouraged to continue reporting road defects with the JRA on the available reporting platforms.”

The service delivery blitz will run until mid-October.

Regional MMC councillor Mlungisi Mabaso said he appreciates what JRA is doing in the City and he appreciates this programme because it responds to cries of all citizens of Johannesburg. Section 79 chairperson Tyrell Meyers was also in attendance.

To report road defects, go to www.jra.za, Twitter: @Myjra, Facebook: Johannesburg Road Agency, email: hotline@jra.org.za or JRA Find&Fix mobile app.