DA Raises Red Flag over Joburg's Crumbling Bridges

The City of Johannesburg’s own records show the scale of the problem.

  • 68 bridges require urgent rehabilitation or reconstruction. 
  • 78% of assessed bridge structures were classified as Poor or Very Poor.
  • R14.15 BILLION is the estimated maintenance and rehabilitation backlog.
  • R80–90 MILLION is the annual budget identified to address it.

WHY THE RED FLAGS?

JRA records identify bridges and related structures in very poor condition, with some not operating at full safety or capacity. 

The longer critical infrastructure is left to deteriorate, the harder and more expensive it becomes to fix.

SEE FOR YOURSELF

Explore the bridges and structures identified for attention across Johannesburg:

RED FLAG: VERY POOR
The structure is recorded as being in very poor condition.

RED FLAG: SAFETY / CAPACITY CONCERN
The structure is recorded as not operating at full safety or capacity, or otherwise requiring attention.

RED FLAG: CLOSED
The structure is recorded as closed.

INCOMPLETE
Incomplete and over budget / stalled construction.

1. Doreen Road
Location: Roodepoort
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

2. Glover Road Bridge
Location: Glover Road
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

3. Queen Elizabeth Bridge
Location: Johannesburg
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

4. M2 Overpass
Location: Heidelberg Road
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

5. Crown Interchange
Location: Johannesburg
Status: RED FLAG: CLOSED

6. M2 West to M1 North Ramp
Location: Johannesburg
Status: RED FLAG: SAFETY / CAPACITY CONCERN

7. M1 Southbound Overpass
Location: Johannesburg
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

8. Pierre Road Bridge
Location: Pierre Road
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

9. West Road Bridge
Location: West Road
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

10. Buccleuch Road Bridge
Location: Buccleuch Road
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

11. Platina Street Culvert
Location: Randburg
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

12. Rissik Street Off-ramp
Location: Wemmer
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

13. Sjampanje Street Bridge
Location: Wilgeheuwel, Roodepoort
Status: INCOMPLETE

14. FNB Stadium Structure
Location: FNB Stadium area
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

15. Hercules Close
Location: Randburg
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

16. Elias Motsoaledi Culvert
Location: Soweto
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

17. Blue Ridge Pedestrian Bridge
Location: Craighall Park
Status: WORK UNDERWAY

18. M1 Viaduct
Location: Selby
Status: RED FLAG: SAFETY / CAPACITY CONCERN

19. Albertina Sisulu Road Culvert
Location: Newtown
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

20. Main Reef Road Culvert
Location: Selby
Status: RED FLAG: SAFETY / CAPACITY CONCERN

21. Belgrave Bridge
Location: Bryanston
Status: RED FLAG: SAFETY / CAPACITY CONCERN

22. M1 Off-ramp
Location: Killarney
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

23. 1st Avenue Bridge
Location: Bryanston
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

24. South Africa Boulevard Culvert
Location: South Africa Boulevard
Status: RED FLAG: VERY POOR

THE DA’S PLAN TO FIX IT

A DA-led Joburg would put the city’s bridge backlog on an urgent repair programme.

INSPECT
Update structural assessments and publish the condition of priority bridges.

FIX THE WORST FIRST
Prioritise the bridges that pose the greatest safety, transport and economic risk.

REPAIR BEFORE REPLACEMENT
Act early where rehabilitation can save a bridge from needing full reconstruction.

FUND AND DELIVER
Give each priority bridge a clear budget and deadline, and publish progress.

BRING IN THE SKILLS
Use qualified engineers, credible contractors and private-sector partnerships to accelerate repairs. The DA’s existing Joburg commitments include rebuilding infrastructure with private-sector partners and restoring professional city management.