Photo by [City of Johannesburg]
A whopping 94.23% of Johannesburg’s bridges are in a fair, poor or very poor state, while only 5.77% are classified as good or very good. This is according to the Johannesburg Road Agency’s 2022 report.
The report states that currently 68 bridges require urgent rehabilitation and restoration. Fourteen are categorised as “high priority” across the city.
“Some of the more critical bridges include, amongst others, the three inner-city bridges Queen Elizabeth, Biccard, and Harrison Bridges, Kilburn Bridge, Belgrave Bridge, West Road Bridge, Pier Road Bridge, Maphumulo Bridge and Mmila and Vincent series Bridges.”
MMC of Transport Kenny Kunene said when a bridge is classified as very poor, it means that a specific bridge is on the verge of collapse. He continues that the annual budget allocated to the JRA needs to be increased to refurbish the bridges across the city.
“We need extra money. There is no money to fix 14000 km of road infrastructure in the city of Johannesburg … We are trying to access the National Treasury, so we can present to them the state of the bridges and roads in the city.”
Having Access to Additional Funds
Regarding their limited budget, Kunene said they would need the support of the National Treasury and the Department of Transport. He engaged with MEC, to which he was informed there was “no money”.
However, there are grants which can be made available and accessed. In addition, the Disaster Management Fund is there to assist in emergencies. To provide relief and to repair damaged infrastructure caused by natural disasters.
“Till now, we have not had access to the disaster funds we were told about. So, the bridges remain collapsed.”
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The Poor State of Johannesburg’s Roads and Bridges
Johannesburg is the economic hub of South Africa. It is the most recognisable and well-known city in the country. Yet the appalling conditions of the bridges and roads tarnish its national and international reputation.
“This is not just any other city in the country. The richest square mile in Africa is situated in this city. [Yet] when you look at the roads, they don’t speak to a very rich city in terms of infrastructure.”
The bridges and roads are a few of many critical infrastructures that have been neglected over time. The recent flooding in the city only exacerbated their deterioration.
Floods can be attributed to a natural calamity as well as human intervention. Many stormwater drains are blocked due to illegal waste disposal. The JRA urges citizens not to dispose of refuse in the drainage systems.
