Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) head of department for infrastructure development Kwazelela Mcetywa has confirmed that the road resurfacing budget in Region C has not changed.

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The entity will repair all the roads that were part of the project, aiming at improving the state of the roads in Randburg. The R15m road resurfacing project was implemented by JRA, with the majority of work concentrating in wards 101 and 134. The project includes sections of CR Swart Drive, Elnita and Puttick avenues, and Taurus and Vermooten roads. “R15m was allocated towards resurfacing in Region C. JRA reiterates that the project has not been cancelled, and no such communication was issued by JRA.”

This follows Ward 134 councillor Devon Steenkamp earlier reporting that the entity wanted to repair only CR Swart Drive, due to financial strains. “Roads to be resurfaced under this phase include CR Swart Drive, between Rosemary Lane and President Fouché Drive, and isolated patching between Rosemary Lane and Taurus Road, Elnita Avenue, Puttick Avenue, Taurus Road, and Vermooten Road,” said Mcetywa

He added that resurfacing commenced on February 24, and will be completed within the next three months, subject to favourable weather conditions.

Also read: JRA begins resurfacing project on CR Swart Drive

Steenkamp thanked the residents who signed a petition for JRA to repair all the streets. “I am thankful to the community for assisting and coming to the call, when I asked for people to add their voices to say that JRA must not deviate from their original plans on the project. They must stick to what they promised the residents at the public meeting, that they would resurface all the roads. A few days later, it was confirmed that they will be sending resources to do the plans of resurfacing.”

He said that he is glad to see that they listened to the pressure, but there are still many roads that need resurfacing and upgrades. “I’m pleading to the community to use the opportunity now, with the upcoming integrated development plan (IDP) meeting, which will be on March 28 at Roodepoort City Hall, where they can raise these concerns about these particular streets to have more roads upgraded. That will be included in the budget for the next financial year. As well as the online meeting on March 31, those who are unable to attend in person can join online.”

He added that they are hoping that the road markings team will then come to do some road markings when the project is finished. “All road markings have been taken away, and we will ensure that JRA also do proper maintenance as well because they cannot just do road resurfacing and then there’s no maintenance thereafter.”

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