The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has started cleaning-up operations as well as damage assessments after the recent heavy storm in parts of the West Rand.
The Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Transport, councillor Nonhlanhla Makhuba confirmed in a press release, “We are aware of several low-lying bridges overtopping, sinkholes requiring road closures, some road surfaces lifting and also bridge abutment structures having been eroded, traffic signals outages, in addition to the flooding of properties and houses by the storm water,” she said.JRA teams have started cleaning-up operations, focusing on hot-spot areas where homes and properties were worst affected, as well as areas where roads and bridges have become inaccessible and traffic mobility obstructed.
In an attempt to minimise urban and residential flooding, JRA has been carrying out routine maintenance of storm-water drainage systems in the time leading up to the rainy season. Makhuba said, “We have been using Jet Vac machines to remove rubble, refuse and soil run-offs. City-wide, silted storm-water systems are being unblocked and some collapsed walls will need to be reconstructed. Maintenance is being done on nine bridges, ranging from issues such as silting and debris blockages, to eroded bridge abutments.”
The heavy downpours also affected three of JRA’s construction projects, resulting in two homes in Tshepisong and a number of homes in Bram Fischerville being flooded. One of the magistrates’ courts in Wynberg was flooded and project managers are assessing whether it was construction-related.
Motorists are being urged to obey road signs, traffic signals and especially road closures due to flooded bridges or unsafe driving conditions.
Makhuba appealed to residents and road users to report all road and storm-related emergencies to 0860 562 874, hotline@jra.org.za, Twitter (@MyJRA)or on the Find & Fix mobile app.
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