Pothole patrols intensify repairs on Witkoppen Road using recycling tar method
The sections of the busy road saw Discovery Pothole Patrol team hard at work, restoring worn surfaces as part of a wider maintenance drive aimed at improving road safety and drivability.
The sound of machinery and the smell of heated tar filled sections of Witkoppen Road as repair teams worked to restore damaged parts of the busy route on May 8.
Workers on site from Discovery Pothole Patrol said the repairs form part of ongoing efforts to address potholes reported by residents and improve road conditions in the area.
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“We are filling potholes. As you can see, this road is not looking well. It has a lot of potholes,” said Alpheus Ramaphoko, the team leader.
He explained that instead of removing the old tar completely, the team uses specialised machinery to heat the existing surface before adding new tar.
“We use the old tar, but we don’t take it out. We burn it using our machines and afterwards we apply the new tar, then we compact it and seal it so that it cannot be penetrated by water.”
According to Ramaphoko, community reports play an important role in identifying roads that require urgent attention.
“Usually it’s the residents who report such things to us. Like this one, it was reported and that is why we are here today.”
The road has patches of potholes that were fixed by the team some time ago.
Ramaphoko added that the work on Witkoppen Road is only part of a wider pothole repair operation taking place in the area.
Also read: Motorists count the cost as massive potholes on Winnie-Mandela finally get attention
“This is not the only road we will be focusing on today. We still have many more. Just yesterday we started backfilling potholes on Witkoppen Road and today we are moving along it as well.”
He said residents can also report potholes through the Discovery Pothole Patrol app by uploading photographs and locations of damaged roads.
“We also have an app called Discovery Pothole Patrol where people can take pictures of potholes and send them to us with the GPS location, then we’ll come and attend to them.”
Ramaphoko confirmed that they work alongside the relevant authorities and have wayleave approval from the Johannesburg Roads Agency to carry out the repairs.
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