Safe and reliable surfaced roads and stormwater infrastructure that will improve movement systems for vehicles and pedestrians are on the cards in Region D, Soweto.
The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), a wholly owned area-based development agency of the City of Johannesburg, has commenced upgrading gravel roads in Elias Motsoaledi and Pimville Zone 9.
The Elias Motsoaledi and Pimville Zone 9 gravel road upgrade projects are being undertaken on behalf of the City’s Human Settlements Department. The projects will entail the upgrading of gravel roads to surfaced standards inclusive of stormwater drainage.
The key area of focus for the Human Settlements portfolio is driving the priority related to Sustainable Human Settlements through the provision of basic services and infrastructure to all settlements. The JDA emphasizes developing resilient, sustainable, and liveable urban areas in identified transit nodes and corridors.
The Elias Motsoaledi and Pimville Zone 9 Gravel road upgrade projects will be based on the City of Johannesburg’s complete streets concept which refers to roads designed to accommodate diverse modes, users, and activities including walking, cycling, and public transport. Such street design helps create more multi-modal transport systems and more livable communities.
The Elias Motsoaledi road upgrades will focus on a 4.5km stretch, while the Pimville Zone 9 road upgrades will cover a 2.5km section, along with stormwater implementation spanning 1.4km.
The scope of work for the upgrades includes, but is not limited to:
- The barricading of the works including all traffic signs and required protective measures.
- Trench excavations for drains, stormwater pipes, and associated structures.
- Laying and bedding of concrete pipes and culverts.
- Backfilling of trenches and restoration of ground surfaces on completion.
- Construction of inlet, outlet, junction, and manhole structures with concrete, precast concrete, and/or brick walls.
- Construction of concrete, precast concrete retaining blocks gabion earth retaining structures, and erosion protection structures in water courses.
- Construction of segmental concrete block township Walkways.
- The laying of precast kerbing.
- Construction of road signs and markings.
- Construction of speed humps.
- Earthworks Construction of selected layerworks.
- Pavement layer works
- Asphalt surface construction.
The upgrade projects will play a critical role in job creation and skills development, with 30% of the contract value awarded to SMMEs in the ward.
The JDA also aims to maximize the use of local labour in the upgrades with the objective of job creation and income generation through an Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) approach.
“The Elias Motsoaledi and Pimville Zone 9 Gravel road upgrade projects align with the JDA’s mission to plan, implement, manage, and facilitate area-based developments in efficient, equitable, sustainable, and innovative ways. The upgrade project will go a long way in enhancing connectivity, mobility, and urban resilience,” JDA CEO Mr Themba Mathibe said.
These gravel road upgrade projects also align with the Human Settlements Department’s mission to improve the quality of life for its beneficiaries, creating neighbourhoods where people love to live, work, play, and do business.
The upgrades will supplement the various developments undertaken by the JDA in the region. In 2023, the JDA commenced with a transformative project to upgrade gravel roads to asphalt in Finetown Proper.
