Kunene launches R33m bridge rehabilitation project in Roodepoort

By: Sello Theletsane

The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has begun construction works to rehabilitate the Kilburn Street culvert infrastructure and road in Discovery, Roodepoort (Ward 84). This follows an allocation of R32.8m from the entity’s 2023/24 Capital Expenditure budget (CAPEX) towards the project, earmarked to be completed in July 2024.

City of Joburg Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Roads and Transport, Councillor Kenny Kunene and JRA’s Acting CEO Zweli Nyathi officially launched the project in a sod-turning event on Wednesday 4 October.

The road on the Kilburn Street bridge was partially closed in 2020 following a severe embankment erosion and collapse of a corrugated stormwater culvert pipe. In December 2022, the heavy rains caused the culvert structure to collapse, and a full road closure between Celeste Crescent and Syd Dwyer Road was implemented, with traffic diverted to alternative routes.

Kunene explained that vehicular traffic was largely impacted by the collapse and subsequent closure of the road. “The road on Kilburn Street serves as an access route to the Kilburn Shopping Centre, the King’s School Discovery, and businesses. Rehabilitating and restoring the road and bridge will improve mobility and relief traffic congestion currently experienced on the alternative routes,” said the MMC.

Nyathi said, “The project scope is quite extensive and will include the excavation of trenches for drains, storm water pipes and associated structures, laying and bedding of concrete pipes and culverts, construction of inlet, outlet, junction and manhole structures, as well as the construction of gabion earth retaining structures and erosion protection structures in water courses.” The Acting CEO added that the traffic diversion route will remain in place throughout construction works.

JRA wishes to thank motorists and residents for their continued patience throughout the road closure and will continue providing updates on works being done as well as dates of the re-opening of the road as soon as the project is complete.