Repairs to the worst road in Randburg slammed as a 'patch job'
Instead of a much-needed road resurfacing, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) again opted for a series of pothole fillers.
Locals are calling it a band-aid solution to what they believe is a chronic and worsening problem, writes the Randburg Sun .
In April, the community paper published a video on its socials showing what a leisurely drive down CS Swart Drive looks like.
Sub-titled the 'worst pothole-ridden road in Randburg,' the footage offered a sobering glimpse at this neglected stretch of tarmac.
For years, CR Swart Drive has become a nightmare for daily commuters.
Deep potholes, flooding, and a crumbling surface has forced drivers to veer dangerously into a single lane, creating major traffic congestion during peak hours.
The road's deterioration highlights a broader, ongoing problem in Johannesburg – the steady decline of the city's aging and poorly-maintained infrastructure.
Though CR Swart Drive has now been reopened, residents say little has improved.
'JRA needs to find a permanent solution when it comes to fixing the potholes on CR Swart Drive,' said Ward 101 councillor Ralf Bittkau.
'[The holes] keep on resurfacing and that takes them back to square one.'
The JRA meanwhile has pointed out that pothole repair is prioritised according to the degree and extent of the damage to the street surface.
They attributed CR Swart Drive's deterioration to ongoing heavy rains. This has been compounded by a leaking water main that continues to weaken the road.
'We also give priority to major roads and those near public spaces like schools,' added JRA's Head of Department for Regional Operations, Khaya Gqibitole.
'Our team has completed the repairs on CR Swart Drive, and our goal is to continually improve turnaround times and the durability of repairs.'
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