Soweto’s entire road network will be tarred before the end of 2005, Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo promised on Wednesday.
”More than 300km of road surface will be upgraded in the R500-million project that the mayor identified as a city priority in his budget last week,” the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) said.
After taking a helicopter flip over Soweto, Masondo said the project is on target, the JRA added.
The upgrade was launched in 2002 to place black-top surfaces on all Soweto roads.
”The new upgraded road will bring significant social and economic benefits to the people of Soweto,” Masondo said.
”It will improve the quality of life and increase the community’s access to public transport such as buses and taxis.”
The upgrade should also improve health as there will be fewer dust clouds and an improved storm water drainage system will prevent the flooding of houses and streets, the JRA said.
About 245km in Pimville, Orlando East, Orlando West and Diepkloof have already been completed and 106km are under construction.
The next targeted areas include Orange Farm, Ivory Park and Bramfisherville. The project has created about 700 jobs from within the Soweto community, while more than 440 people have received skills development training.
The managing director of the JRA, Mavela Dlamini, said he is confident the Soweto part of the project will be completed well in advance of the 2005 deadline. — Sapa