JRA: No budget to tar State Road in President Park for now

The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has confirmed there is currently no budget to upgrade State Road in President Park from gravel to tar, leaving the road to remain unpaved until future funding becomes available.

Agency cites budget cuts and project priorities

JRA head of infrastructure development, Kwazelela Mcetywa, told the Midrand Reporter that “State Road is not part of the current projects being implemented by the JRA” and that the budget for the gravel roads programme has been drastically reduced. Mcetywa said the agency intends to use available funds to complete works already under construction and that State Road could be considered in the next financial year provided budget is made available.

Residents to rely on maintenance while awaiting funding

The agency said there are no immediate plans to upgrade the road, so motorists and residents must continue relying on periodic maintenance while any upgrade project remains dependent on future funding allocations.

Longstanding complaints over road condition

According to The Citizen (Midrand Reporter), the Midrand Reporter has consistently reported on the road’s poor state, particularly during the rainy season when flooding, mud and deep potholes often make it difficult, and at times nearly impossible, for motorists to use safely. The response from the JRA followed questions from the Midrand Reporter on whether the long-standing gravel road would finally be tarred after years of complaints from residents.

Recent maintenance but no long-term upgrade

The Midrand Reporter observed that the JRA recently carried out maintenance work on State Road in response to repeated concerns over its deteriorating condition, but the agency’s statement makes clear that this does not amount to an upgrade to a tar surface.

“State Road is not part of the current projects being implemented by the JRA. Furthermore, the budget has been drastically reduced on the gravel roads programme. The intention is to utilise the available budget to complete the works currently in construction. State Road can be considered in the next financial year, provided budget is made available.” Kwazelela Mcetywa, JRA head of infrastructure development

About the reporting

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According to The Citizen (Midrand Reporter), the Midrand Reporter saw the light in 1978 and was taken over by Caxton in 1997.