Johannesburg Executive Mayor Cllr Herman Mashaba last week launched the city’s manhole cover replacement project. 

The alternative manhole covers are made of a composite material in an effort to curb the theft of cast iron and steel manhole covers and improve motorist safety. The new manhole covers are SABS approved and designed to meet the Johannesburg Roads Agency’s (JRA) technical specifications.

Over R1 million from the city’s budget has been re-prioritised to make the project possible. According to Mashaba, 99 deaths were reported in 2014/15 and 104 deaths in 2016/17 due to manholes left uncovered throughout the city.

The project forms part of the city’s future network upgrades plan, which aims to improve road infrastructure which serves as an essential component for boosting the city’s economy and creating job opportunities.

“By ensuring that businesses can transport their goods and reach consumers and that our residents are able to safely move across the city, we will be a step closer to reaching our goal of achieving 5% economic growth within the city by 2021,” said Mashaba.

The project is expected to be completed by 15 December 2017 for all 4000 of the city’s uncovered manholes.

In prioritising commuter safety, construction work will be carried out during off-peak times during the day to fast-track planned upgrades with minimal impact on road users and pedestrians. The project will also include traffic accommodation, relocation of services, storm-water, roadworks, road signs and markings.

“Our administration has developed a comprehensive approach to the maintenance, development and expansion of the city’s road network,” said the mayor.

The JRA has been allocated an operating budget of R1.1 billion in the 2017/18 financial year, and a three year capital budget of R4 billion. An additional R105 million has been allocated for the installation and repair of broken down traffic signals throughout Johannesburg. A further R79 million is also made available within this budget to continue the war against potholes.

“With these allocations and targets, we are showing that we are committed to enhancing our residents’ quality of life by improving services.

“I would therefore like to thank the residents of Joburg for their patience while we address the current problems of under-maintained roads. The decades-long neglect of infrastructure maintenance means there are still substantial infrastructure challenges which require attention,” concluded Mashaba.