Bitumen shortage halts road repairs

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29-07-2015
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The New Age
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ROAD resurfacing and patching of potholes will be temporarily halted due to a shortage of bitumen countrywide, said the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA).

Bitumen is an oil-based, semi-liquid substance which is used in the production of the asphalt mix for road surface construction. Acting managing director Mpho Kau said that all refineries are undergoing shutdown maintenance. “Total and Engen are the only refineries that have confirmed that operations will resume in early August 2015.

The JRA asphalt plant has therefore stopped production, and operations are expected to resume from August 10 this year.

We apologise for the inconvenience caused by the matter,” said Kau. JRA is responsible for the maintenance, repair and development of Johannesburg’s road network and stormwater infrastructure, including bridges, traffic lights and signage. – Ntombi Nkosi