Johannesburg’s failing infrastructure includes its crumbling bridges.
Fewer than 6% of the city’s 902 bridges are in good condition, and the cost to restore the remaining 94% to an acceptable standard is estimated at R16 billion, reported City Press.
The agency revealed that 702 of Johannesburg’s bridges—a staggering 78%—are in poor or very poor condition.
Of these, 20 are on the brink of closure.
It is concerning that these figures are based on outdated data. A table provided by the JRA indicates that 707 bridges were below acceptable standards according to a visual assessment conducted in the 2016/17 financial year.
At that time, 557 bridges were classified as being in poor condition, and 150 were in very poor condition. Since then, no comprehensive assessments have been conducted due to budget constraints.
Speaking to City Press, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has acknowledged the city’s deteriorating state but insists that his administration is working hard to restore stability and improve service delivery.
Morero has outlined plans to manage the funding shortfall by appointing contractors willing to take on projects “at risk” to be compensated over time through revenue collection from residents.
He expressed frustration with the media’s focus on the city’s failures, arguing that significant strides are being made in other areas.
[Image: by SerenityArt from Pixabay]