Joburg Roads Agency quick fix is a plaster on a broken bone in Khyber Rock, Sandton
Following criticism from Ward 106 councillor Chris Santana, JRA explains why only temporary road repairs were carried out at the intersection of Althea Avenue and Lincoln Street, despite long-standing damage and no current plans for resurfacing.
Following community backlash over temporary repairs at the intersection of Althea Avenue and Lincoln Street in Khyber Rock, Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has clarified its decision to conduct skin patching in late July, explaining the technical rationale and addressing wider concerns about road maintenance in high-pressure areas like Sandton.
JRA regional operations manager Khayalethu Gqibitole said, while the road was still considered in standard condition, visible signs of wear, including ravelling and crocodile cracking, were noted during recent inspections.
Read more: Potholes persist on 10th Road in Kew as JRA delays full resurfacing
These findings prompted the agency to carry out skin patching, described as a light asphalt overlay used to extend the road’s service life within its design parameters.
“Skin patching is recommended for road surfaces with minor damage,” Gqibitole said. “It’s an effective method to retain the lifespan of the road without resorting immediately to costly and disruptive reconstruction.”
This response follows pointed criticism from Ward 106 councillor Chris Santana, who labelled the patchwork as: “A band-aid on a broken bone,” and expressed frustration over the absence of a proactive maintenance strategy.
Residents have raised concerns for over 18 months, citing worsening road conditions and insufficient communication from city agencies.
When asked by the Sandton Chronicle whether a full resurfacing or reconstruction is scheduled for the Althea and Lincoln intersection, Gqibitole confirmed no such project is currently planned.
However, JRA intends to assess the road’s condition using TMH 9, the national road evaluation standard, and include it in future resurfacing schedules, if deemed necessary.
Santana also highlighted that preventative maintenance schedules had not been shared with councillors or the public, despite repeated requests.
Read more: Potholes on Kew’s 9th Road finally fixed
Gqibitole responded by stating that such issues had been addressed through the councillor forum meetings, and councillors were encouraged to use the official communication platforms to escalate road-related concerns.
On the broader issue of infrastructure delays, in areas like Sandton, Gqibitole said: “JRA is actively addressing the backlog. Issues logged by residents are attended to daily. We urge the public to continue reporting defects so repair teams can be deployed accordingly.”
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