The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has been allocated R912 million for the 2025/26 financial year as part of a three-year R2.8 billion investment to repair and upgrade the city’s deteriorating road infrastructure. However, this funding represents a mere 1.01% of the estimated R276 billion needed to adequately address the city’s massive backlog, according to Gauteng Transport MEC Kenny Kunene.
Enormous Shortfall Undermines Progress
Despite the incoming funds, the financial commitment falls drastically short—by R273 billion—of what experts and officials say is needed. Speaking at a budget briefing, Kunene outlined that Johannesburg needs:
- R90 billion to expand the road network
- R37 billion for bridge rehabilitation
- R144 billion for stormwater infrastructure improvements
These figures highlight the severity of Johannesburg’s road infrastructure crisis and raise concerns about the city’s ability to maintain safe, reliable transport systems.
Key Focus Areas for 2025/26
From this year’s R912 million capital allocation, R550 million has been earmarked for four core priorities:
- Stormwater Infrastructure in Soweto
R189 million will go towards stormwater drainage upgrades in four Soweto suburbs, which have long faced flooding and poor runoff infrastructure. - Bridge Rehabilitation
R152 million will be used to rehabilitate aging bridges in Soweto, Lenasia, and Roodepoort—many of which are reportedly at serious risk. A recent report revealed that 80% of the city’s bridges are in ‘imminent danger’ of collapse. - Road Resurfacing and Pothole Repair
R149 million has been allocated for the resurfacing programme, which includes pothole patching and restoring high-traffic routes linking townships to commercial centres. - Traffic Signal Repairs
R60 million will be spent on improving traffic signal reliability in key areas like Randburg, Sandton, Roodepoort, and Soweto, where frequent signal failures cause congestion and accidents.
An undisclosed portion of the budget will also go toward new road construction and upgrades to existing gravel roads.
Limited Resources, Growing Demand
The JRA’s budget is the third-largest among the city’s municipal entities, following Johannesburg Water (R5.6 billion) and City Power (R4.6 billion) over the same three-year period. The City of Johannesburg’s total capital expenditure allocation stands at R26.2 billion for the next three years, with funding sourced primarily from National Treasury (41.8%) and loans (40.2%). Only 7.5% comes from the city’s own revenue streams.
Agency Vows to Use Funds Wisely
JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi acknowledged the enormous gap between what is needed and what has been allocated, but assured residents that the funds would be used efficiently.
“We acknowledge that the magnitude of our ageing infrastructure requires substantially more investment. Every rand allocated will be utilised efficiently and effectively to make a tangible difference,” Nyathi said.
MEC Kunene echoed this sentiment, praising the allocation but stressing the urgent need for greater investment to overhaul Johannesburg’s aging and overwhelmed road network.
With the city’s infrastructure backlog stretching into the hundreds of billions, the limited funding—while welcomed—is unlikely to provide the transformative change Johannesburg’s road users desperately need.
Related article: JRA Completes Water Channel Repairs on Flamink Street, Bromhof
