I take this moment to apologise to motorists using the M2 Highway, in and out of the Johannesburg CBD, for the daily frustrations caused by lane closures owing to extensive road re-surfacing work being undertaken by the JRA.
However, I assure residents, motorists, and businesses alike that the end product will be worth it.
As a statement of confidence in the quality of JRA’s work, engineers have assured me that the re-surfacing of the M2 Motorway is intended to curb any possibility of potholes developing along the Highway for the next 15 years.
A total of R42 million has been budgeted for the re-surfacing of the M2 Motorway - taking place in two phases. Work on the extensive project is scheduled for completion in December 2022.
In the 2021/22 financial year, R12 million was budgeted for the project.
Completed work included the resurfacing of the M2 Motorway Eastbound, Cleveland off-ramp and on-ramp and M2 Motorway Westbound from New Goch Road to Maritzburg off-ramp south of the CBD.
In the current financial year, a total of R30 million has been made available to complete the remaining section of the highway.
The rehabilitation of the M2 Motorway will include milling out 120mm of surfacing on sections deemed to be in poor condition followed by a 40mm asphalt overlay to restore the road surface to pristine condition. Once the surface is sufficiently dry and has hardened, road markings will be applied.
To make future projects less onerous and disruptive to motorists, businesses, and the economy, I am working with the JRA management to introduce a Shift Policy. This would see the JRA undertake crucial road repair work on roads such as the M2, at night.
The introduction of the Shift Policy would eliminate disruptions like those encountered currently by allowing JRA to work at night, when there is less traffic, and prevent incidents of motorists driving over wet surfaces during the day.
I therefore plead for patience as JRA carries out this crucial work.
Ongoing work will result in traffic interruptions on both the Westbound and Eastbound of the Highway. Road works begin from 9:00 to 15:00 on weekdays. Several lanes will be closed to make way for the repairs.
Construction times will remain the same until the completion date, which will be communicated through JRA social media platforms.
The M2 Motorway is a major thoroughfare in and out of the City, facilitating economic activity and investment meant to create jobs on a widescale. The rehabilitation of this road is therefore important in keeping with the Mayoral Priority of the Multi-party Coalition Government in attracting investment by facilitating economic development through road infrastructure.
Issued by:
Cllr Funzi Ngobeni
MMC: Transport
City of Johannesburg
For media inquiries, please contact:
Kgopi Mabotja
Media Liaison Specialist
Office of the MMC: Transport
KgopiM@joburg.org.za
078 579 7817
27/09/2022
