The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has allocated a budget of over R100 million to upgrade three low-lying bridges in Soweto.

This forms part of a city-wide JRA bridge construction and rehabilitation programme which will be launched by City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Councillor Parks Tau, on 6 August 2015.

During inspections of the 814 bridges with an asset value of R15 billion in the city, the JRA concluded that some require rehabilitation that includes construction and expansion.

JRA Acting Managing Director Mpho Kau said that three bridges namely, Leselinyana-Kinini, Nxumalo and Zulu-Mahalefele, have been identified for upgrades.

“The bridges are overtopped with flood waters every year due to heavy rain storms. This has posed a safety challenge for both motorists and pedestrians,” Kau said.

He also explained that access to proximate roads has also been compromised. “The level of the bridges will therefore be raised to reduce these challenges,” Kau added.

Motorists and pedestrians are advised to use alternative routes throughout the duration of the project as some of the roads will be closed for piling.

The following traffic advisories should be noted:

• From the 3rd to the 17th of August 2015, Zulu-Mahalefele Road will be closed. Kinini-Leselinyana and Mzilikazi Roads are alternative routes to crossing the river.
• Nxumalo Road will be closed from the 3rd to the 11th of August 2015. Kinini-Leselinyana and Mzilikazi Roads are alternative routes to crossing the river as well.
• From the 12th to 26th August 2015 Kinini-Leselinyana road will be closed. Nxumalo Road will be open and is to be used in conjunction with Mzilikazi Road to cross the river.

“Once the piling is completed for each bridge the traffic will use bypass roads adjacent to the existing bridges specifically constructed for this purpose until April 2016,” Kau said.