There was a sense of relief and pride in Ferndale as a major section of Republic Road officially reopened after months of disruption.
Residents, officials, and project teams gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the completion of the reinstatement work led by Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA).
MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene addressed those present and spoke openly about how important teamwork is between city entities. He explained that when Johannesburg Water repairs pipe bursts, it often digs into roads and pavements managed by JRA.
Read more: Ward 134 roads to benefit from JRA’s R15m resurfacing project
Without proper planning and communication, roads could remain damaged, even after water repairs are done. He said projects, like the one on Republic Road, require careful co-ordination. Designers and inspectors are sent out to assess the damage so that repairs can begin as soon as possible. “It’s very important that we work together. If they finish their work and we are not ready, the road cannot be used.”
The scale of the underground pipe work was clear to anyone who saw the trenches that stretched along the road. Walkways had to be rebuilt and large sections of the surface had to be restored. Because of how extensive the project was, it took time to complete. Kunene also noted that the work was done through a tender process, which added to the timeline. Still, standing on the newly restored road, he expressed satisfaction with the final result and thanked the teams involved.
Republic Road is one of the busiest routes in the area, and the city did not stop at resurfacing the damaged section. Maintenance teams were also sent to clean pavements and unblock storm water drains nearby.
Kunene explained that when drains are clogged, water flows over the road surface and causes more damage. Clearing the surrounding infrastructure helps protect the new work.
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He also spoke about the bigger picture. Much of Johannesburg’s road and storm water infrastructure is ageing, and was built for a much smaller population. As new housing developments go up and more people move into the city, the pressure on underground systems continues to grow.
According to Kunene, billions of rands are needed to properly upgrade the city’s infrastructure. He mentioned ongoing challenges, such as sinkholes linked to historic mining activity, which sometimes require assistance from national government departments when repairs go deeper underground.
Programme director Andrew Bodibe led the event, while project manager Mwezi Ndwe explained the technical side of the work. Kwazi Mcetywa also addressed those gathered. Despite financial pressures facing the City of Johannesburg, Kunene said the city remains committed to improving infrastructure where it can.
For residents and motorists who rely on Republic Road every day, the reopening marks a welcome return to normal life and a reminder of how much work happens beneath the surface to keep the city moving.
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