Potholes and Progress: Rabie Ridge Sees Tangible Change as #OperationRestore Delivers

For the residents of Rabie Ridge, the proof of change isn’t in a press statement; it’s in the freshly laid asphalt on their streets and the new speed humps outside their homes. The community’s persistent calls for safer, better-maintained roads are finally being met with action, as the City of Johannesburg rolls out a targeted repair program.

The initiative, part of the broader #OperationRestore, has seen crews from the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) actively working on key streets. The work is a direct response to issues raised by residents during Integrated Development Plan (IDP) consultations and a visit by MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene earlier this year.

Action Where It Matters Most

On the ground, the focus is on two critical areas: fixing deteriorating road surfaces and calming traffic. JRA teams have been patching potholes and carrying out resurfacing work along Parliament Street, Church Street, and Strandloper Road.

Simultaneously, new speed humps have been installed on Falcon Street, a direct answer to community complaints about speeding vehicles and the danger they pose to children and other road users.

Acknowledging the Root Causes

During a site visit to oversee the progress, MMC Kenny Kunene addressed the underlying causes of the road damage. He pointed to water intrusion from surface runoff and underground sources as a major culprit, weakening road foundations over time.

He also highlighted a very localised issue: informal car washes operating along the road network. “Car washes from this road are damaging the road, and we are going to speak to them so that they understand,” Kunene stated, emphasizing a need for community engagement to protect the new infrastructure.

A Response to Community Pleas

The driving force behind these upgrades is unequivocally community safety. “The community complained about cars racing on these roads… They asked us to put speed humps, and we have now responded,” Kunene said. “The JRA has listened, the MMC has listened.”

For the people of Rabie Ridge, this work represents more than just road maintenance. It’s a sign that their voices have been heard and that tangible, positive change is possible. As the program continues, the promise of safer, smoother streets is becoming a visible reality.

{Source: Citizen}

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