The Gauteng government has acknowledged that a significant portion of its road infrastructure is in poor condition, with more than 65% of roads affected by potholes and malfunctioning traffic lights.
Premier Panyaza Lesufi revealed the figures during a media briefing on Thursday, as the province intensifies efforts to improve infrastructure ahead of hosting the G20 Summit in Johannesburg this November.
According to Lesufi, out of the 4,500 roads managed by the provincial government, only 35% are currently considered to be in good condition. To tackle the problem, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been enlisted to help map out the pothole crisis across the province.
Recent data from the CSIR shows that Gauteng’s road network spans approximately 5,400 kilometres, including 5,000 km of tarred roads and 1,800 km of gravel routes. Lesufi stressed that addressing these infrastructure issues is a priority, with R1.5 billion already allocated for immediate repairs and maintenance.
In addition to roadworks, the provincial government plans to take full control of road maintenance coordination by the end of 2025, an effort to streamline services currently handled by both provincial and municipal structures.
Lesufi also raised concern about the ongoing vandalism of traffic lights, particularly in the City of Johannesburg, and confirmed that interventions are being planned to deal with the issue.
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