The projects, launched in various parts of Soweto, would involve partnerships between the city council and the communities in which the work would be done.
Tau launched the City-wide Gravel Roads Upgrade, the construction of the new Naledi Bridge and the upgrading of storm water drains.
The city council was responding to grievances about poor conditions raised by the affected communities.
The projects will cost R217.2 million and would be undertaken by the Joburg Roads Agency (JRA).
However, the roads agency was committed to creating 280 jobs through the projects by utilising small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and people within the communities for the work.
“The Jozi@Work programme is a partnership between the city and communities in the provision of municipal services… we would get communities to do some of the maintenance work of the municipality,” said Tau.
“This is an innovative programme that would empower communities so that they are able to stand on their own and say that actually ‘I can take responsibility for my family and I can take responsibility for my contribution to making Johannesburg a better place’”.
The gravel roads upgrade programme had been implemented since the completion of the tarring of Soweto roads.
The townships that were previously prioritised were Diepsloot, Bramfischerville, Doornkop and Orange Farm, and of these Doornkop had already been completed. In the 2013/14 financial year, Thulani, Tshepisong and Lawley were included as priority areas.
The total budget for the 2013/14 financial year was R161 million and over the medium-term more than R1.3 billion would be spent on the programme.
Under the storm water upgrade project, storm water drains in Dobsonville would be upgraded at a cost of R6.2 million.
The project aims to improve to storm water drainage in a bid to minimise flooding in the area.
Meanwhile, the construction of the Naledi Bridge serves to create a safe crossing over the railway line for pedestrians and vehicles.
The city council was responding to the growing number of incidents of people being killed while crossing the railway line.
According to city council officials, construction of the bridge started on 10 June and would be completed in September 2015 at a cost of R50 million.
“The well-being of our communities is a priority for the JRA and the main objective for these projects is to improve the safety of all road users whilst also alleviating poverty and unemployment through job creation and skills development,” said the roads agency’s managing director, Skhumbuzo Macozoma.
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