THE executive committee of eThekwini Municipality has approved the expansion of the City’s unpaved road maintenance programme to improve access for communities across eThekwini.

According to the municipality, an additional 425km of unpaved roads will be incorporated into the municipality’s official maintenance programme, increasing the total network from approximately 1746km to 2171km.

The decision was taken at the Exco meeting held on July 21.

The estimated additional annual cost is approximately R127.5m, which will be considered through the Municipality’s Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework budget processes.

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The roads were identified through submissions by ward councillors on behalf of their communities, as well as inspections conducted by the municipality’s technical teams.

“Formalising these roads ensures they can now be planned for and maintained as part of the official programme. Many residents rely on unpaved roads to access homes, schools, healthcare facilities, workplaces and other essential services. The expanded programme will improve road conditions, enhance accessibility and support safer, more reliable travel,” said eThekwini in a statement.

Routine maintenance includes regular grading and periodic gravel replacement, with emergency repairs undertaken when necessary.

Programmes to upgrade suitable roads to gravel, and where feasible to paved roads, will also continue.

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