City invests R23m in Braamfisherville stormwater upgrade to improve safety
The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) begins a major R23m stormwater project in Braamfisherville to enclose open channels, reduce flooding risks, and improve safety for residents and road users.
The City of Johannesburg, through the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), announced a significant project on June 4, allocating just over R23m for the conversion of open drainage channels to closed systems along Rio Grande Street in Braamfisherville, Ward 49 (Region C).
This forms part of its ongoing commitment to public safety and urban infrastructure improvement.
The initiative aims to reduce risks from open channels and improve safety. It also supports JRA’s stormwater master plan to expand the city’s drainage capacity and reduce road and property flooding.
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JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi explained that open stormwater channels, while serving their primary drainage function, pose immediate risks to children, pedestrians, and motorists during flooding.
“The new, enclosed 500m stormwater system will incorporate a combination of precast pipe culverts and rectangular portal culverts.
“These will range from 600mm to 1050mm diameter pipes and 1200mm x 900mm portal culverts.
“The system aims to eliminate immediate physical risks through better water flow management and enhance the overall liveability and appearance of the urban space.”
The project is set to further benefit the local community through the employment of 20 participants from the Expanded Public Works Programme and a community liaison officer. Five small, medium and micro enterprises will be appointed.
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Ward 49 Clr Mthuthuzeli Bolani said: “It is good to see our area being developed particularly our roads and infrastructure since we know that Braamfisherville is a wet land and during rainy seasons it becomes a disaster.”
He hopes that the service-delivery ‘bomb squad’ that was announced by the mayor will empower, assist and alleviate other challenges faced by the community.
The project is scheduled to be completed on August 27.This crucial initiative, which aims to mitigate risks associated with open channels and enhance community safety, also forms part of JRA’s stormwater master plan to expand the capacity of the city’s stormwater network and alleviate flooding on roads and properties.
JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi explained that open stormwater channels, while serving their primary function of drainage, pose immediate risks to children, pedestrians and motorists during flooding.
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“The new, enclosed 500m stormwater system will incorporate a combination of precast pipe culverts and rectangular portal culverts.
“These will range from 600mm to 1 050mm diameter pipes and 1 200mm x 900mm portal culverts.
“The system aims to eliminate immediate physical risks through better water flow management and enhance the overall liveability and appearance of the urban space.”
The project is set to benefit the local community through the employment of 20 participants from the Expanded Public Works Programme and a community liaison officer. Five small, medium and micro enterprises will be appointed.
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Ward 49 Clr Mthuthuzeli Bolani said: “It is good to see our area being developed, particularly our roads and infrastructure, since we know that Braamfisherville is a wetland and becomes a disaster during the rainy season.”
He hopes that the service-delivery ‘bomb squad’ announced by the mayor will empower the community, provide support, and address other challenges faced by residents.
The project is scheduled to be completed on August 27.
