IMPROVING ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE IN LANGEBERG MUNICIPALITY

Langeberg Municipality is facing a huge road infrastructure maintenance backlog from severe budget constraints. This has resulted in many roads in our area to have several potholes.

The municipality recently launched a program for the repair of potholes and to clean stormwater channels.

The much-needed rain not only makes it difficult to fix roads, but the wet conditions also contribute to the further deterioration of the road surface.  During this time of the year, we temporarily repair potholes by filling them with a stabilised mixture, to ensure road surface remains in a drivable state as much as possible.

The more permanent fixing of potholes will be done as soon as the weather conditions are suitable. Potholes can be reported at the 24/7 Call centre and will be listed on a Potholes Repair Programme.

Due to the high number of municipal roads that need to be restored and the lack of funds for this purpose, this project will run over a few years. Road compacting equipment and concrete mixers are in the process to be purchased to assist us with maintenance projects.

Funding towards roads in the New Financial Year

Municipalities road expenditure is funded from a combination of the local government equitable share, municipal own-revenues, EPWP Integrated Grant for municipalities, Municipal Infrastructure Grant, and Public Transport Infrastructure and Systems Grant allocated to road maintenance.

Municipal capital budget for the 2023-2024 financial year

A tender for the implementation of the road asset management plan for the Langeberg Municipality is currently in the appeal period before the final award can be made. All tenders received was over the available budget. This will have an impact on what can be completed within the available funding for this project. The project will comprise of the upgrade of existing roads in Robertson, Ashton, Bonnievale and Montagu. It is envisaged that the work will commence in July/August 2023 depending on the weather conditions.

The new capital budget makes provision for R33.35 million that will assist with part of the shortfall towards the operational upgrading of roads.

The 2023-2024 capital budget also makes provision for a second entrance project at Nkqubela, Robertson to the value of R8,06 million. A new entrance on the R317 road between Robertson and Bonnievale will reduce traffic volumes at the existing entrance to Nqkubela. This will greatly improve traffic flow, safety of vehicles and pedestrians.

The upgrade of the MR219 road into Bonnievale is a Provincial Government Project whereby the Municipal budget will contribute a further R2,46 million for the rehabilitation of the section of road between Waterkant Street and the Main Road in Bonnievale.

The following roads are in very poor condition and will form part of the road Asset Management Plan:

 The project comprises the maintenance of approximately 14km of surfaced roads as prioritized according to the Pavement Management System (PMS) dated 2019 in Ashton, Bonnievale, Montagu and Robertson.

DP LUBBE

MUNICIPAL MANAGER