City drivers continue to face faded lines and poor visibility as the Johannesburg Roads Agency reveals its cautious plans for upgrading the M1.

Contents

The M1 highway, a key artery running through Johannesburg’s inner core, is in line for long-awaited maintenance in the form of fresh road markings. For many motorists, the drive has become increasingly risky due to barely visible lane lines, unchecked roadside vegetation, and inadequate lighting — all contributing to a hazardous experience, especially at night.

While certain issues, like lighting and vegetation, fall under different municipal departments, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has confirmed that it is preparing to repaint the road. However, progress has been slow, and no official start date has been announced.

JRA Confirms Plans, But No Timelines Yet

Speaking to The Citizen, Khaya Gqibitole, JRA’s Head of Regional Operations, said the agency intends to repaint the M1 South between Corlett Drive and Shakespeare Avenue. However, the project is still in the preparatory phase, awaiting the final appointment of a contractor and delivery of materials.

The JRA’s official jurisdiction on the M1 spans from the Shakespeare Avenue bridge in Ormonde to Corlett Drive near Melrose Arch. Sections of the highway further north, up to the Buccleuch interchange, fall under the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT), which has not yet provided clarity on its own upgrade plans despite repeated queries.

Heavy Traffic a Major Obstacle

A significant factor delaying road marking on the M1 is the constant traffic congestion. Gqibitole noted that any lane closure, particularly during weekdays, could trigger severe gridlock.

To minimize disruption, JRA plans to adopt a segmented approach to the repainting: targeting specific lanes on weekends and staggering the rest of the work throughout the week.

“We’re aiming to tackle the right lanes during weekends and handle the middle and left lanes on weekdays to avoid unnecessary delays,” Gqibitole said.

A Road Long Neglected

The last major investment in the M1 came in 2015, when the city spent R210 million on bridge and stormwater upgrades. That was followed by a R169 million project to rehabilitate the iconic double-decker section of the highway, completed in 2020.

Since then, however, regular maintenance appears to have fallen by the wayside, leaving drivers to navigate fading road markings and dangerous conditions with little clarity on when improvements will be made.

While plans to repaint the M1 are technically in motion, Johannesburg drivers will have to wait a bit longer for concrete timelines. Until then, the city’s busiest highway remains a daily challenge for commuters — one that highlights the urgent need for coordinated maintenance across municipal and provincial departments.

Road Marking: A Critical Yet Delayed Upgrade

Despite growing safety concerns and increasing public frustration, the repainting of road markings on Johannesburg’s M1 remains in a holding pattern. While the Johannesburg Roads Agency has acknowledged the need and outlined a phased approach to limit traffic disruptions, the lack of a confirmed start date continues to leave motorists in limbo.

As one of the city’s busiest highways, the M1 demands urgent attention — and fresh markings are not just cosmetic, but essential for road safety and navigation. Until the paint hits the pavement, drivers will have to stay cautious and patient.