Connect with us

Business

Johannesburg’s Infrastructure Crisis Deepens as Bridges Face Collapse

Published

on

Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic hub, is showing alarming signs of collapse, with its crumbling bridges becoming the latest addition to the city’s long list of failing infrastructure.

The Shocking State of Johannesburg’s Bridges

According to reports from City Press, fewer than 6% of Johannesburg’s 902 bridges are in good condition. The remaining 94% require urgent repairs, with 702 bridges (78%) classified as being in poor or very poor condition.

  • 20 bridges are on the brink of closure, posing a serious risk to public safety.
  • The estimated cost to restore Johannesburg’s bridges to an acceptable standard stands at R16 billion.
  • The data used for these assessments is eight years old, as budget constraints have prevented a comprehensive review since 2016/17.

This data gap excludes the 690 culverts across the city, meaning the true extent of the crisis remains unknown.

A Citywide Infrastructure Crisis

The deterioration of Johannesburg’s bridges reflects the broader decline of its water, electricity, and road systems, all of which are in severe distress.

  • Water Infrastructure:
    • Johannesburg loses nearly 40% of its water supply due to leaks and illegal connections.
    • Outdated pipes have led to chronic water shortages across multiple suburbs.
  • Road Network:
    • Johannesburg’s streets are riddled with potholes, making daily commuting a nightmare.
    • The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) admits it is severely underfunded, with estimates suggesting R81.5 billion is needed for road repairs over the next decade.
  • Electricity Crisis:
    • City Power is struggling to maintain Johannesburg’s 50-year-old grid, which is operating well beyond its intended lifespan.
    • Despite a 10-month reprieve from Eskom load-shedding, many residents still experience power outages due to vandalism, illegal connections, and failing infrastructure.

Mayor Acknowledges the Crisis but Faces Financial Hurdles

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has acknowledged the dire state of the city’s infrastructure, but insists his administration is working to restore stability.

To address budget shortfalls, Morero has proposed hiring contractors on a risk basis, meaning they would be compensated over time through revenue collection from residents.

While he highlighted progress in electricity infrastructure, he admitted that vandalism and illegal connections remain a major challenge. He also criticized the media for focusing on the city’s failures, stating:

“You only see the negatives in the media. You don’t see the positives.”

Johannesburg’s Future in Jeopardy

Despite efforts to stabilise the city, Johannesburg remains financially strained, struggling to pay suppliers on time. Morero blamed past reckless spending for the financial disarray rather than a complete lack of funds.

However, without urgent intervention, Johannesburg’s infrastructure crisis will only worsen, leaving its residents to face increasing risks and declining quality of life.

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com