Collapsed bridge received repairs funding

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09-07-2025
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Roodepoort Record
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Construction timelines and road use plans will be shared with the public once finalised to ensure minimal disruption during rehabilitation.

The long-awaited upgrade of the Sjampanje Street bridge is finally in sight after the City of Johannesburg confirmed that it will be repaired as part of a R2.8b infrastructure plan over the next three years.

The bridge, which collapsed in 2023 following heavy rains and structural failure, has been closed ever since, forcing residents to take long detours and raising safety concerns in the area. Locals have repeatedly called for its urgent repair, and work is expected to begin in the next financial year.

The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) confirmed that just over R9m has been allocated to the agency for the 2025/ 26 financial year, with R152m specifically dedicated to bridge repairs. The bridge repair will be included alongside other priority structures such as the Elias Motsoaledi Bridge, Moroka Nancefield Road Bridge, the FNB Stadium pedestrian bridge, Lenasia Bridge and the New Naledi Bridge.

The upgrade is part of a citywide effort to improve safety, mobility and connectivity, particularly in areas where infrastructure has aged or deteriorated due to high traffic volumes and weather-related damage. Repairs are expected to include structural reinforcement, resurfacing, and drainage improvements to reduce flooding risk and traffic disruption during heavy rains.

The JRA’s broader capital works programme includes road resurfacing, stormwater infrastructure upgrades, traffic signal improvements, and the construction of new roads and bridges. These projects will be rolled out under the agency’s Infrastructure Development Department, which is tasked with executing capital projects that align with the city’s service delivery goals.

The bridge continues to suffer damage from the unstable weather conditions, like recent heavy rainfalls. Photo: Neliswa Sibiya.

JRA CEO Zweli Nyathi described the three-year budget allocation as a step forward in addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges.

“While we acknowledge that the magnitude of our ageing infrastructure requires substantially more investment, every rand allocated will be utilised efficiently and effectively to make a tangible difference in the lives of Johannesburg residents and road users.”

The JRA estimates that Johannesburg faces a road infrastructure backlog of R276b, which includes R90b needed for the road network, R37b for bridge repairs, R144b for stormwater systems and catchments, and R4b to improve sidewalks. These figures underline the scale of the challenge, though the current budget allows for key interventions in areas of greatest need.

The City has encouraged residents to report damaged roads, stormwater issues, and faulty traffic signals through official JRA channels such as the call centre on 0860 562 874, email, or social media platforms like Twitter.