Presenting the quarterly review of plans and priorities for financial year 2010/11, MEC Bheki Nkosi reiterated that the department is working to provide efficient and integrated public transport and road infrastructure systems and improve overall service delivery to residents of Gauteng.
The MEC mentioned that during this financial year, the department is set on completing the following roads construction projects - Malibongwe Drive phase 3 (K29 Phase 3), Voortrekker Road (R55) phase 2, Beyers Naude (D374) and completing of all 20PTP's in Tshwane.
He also stated that the department has adopted the Gauteng Pothole Strategy to alleviate problems affecting all provincial roads. The response is through an integrated road maintenance plan that is both reactive and proactive. This involves ongoing heavy and light rehabilitation on provincial roads with the objective to improve road conditions and prevent the development of potholes.
And as part of the Gauteng Freight Management Strategy, the department is working closely with the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in developing the Air Quality Management Plan for Gauteng by end of this financial year.
The department has also joined forces with Blue IQ to conduct a feasibility study in setting-up a Freight Logistics Hub on the West Rand. Engagements with Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to assist with Freight Planning within the Maize Triangle are also underway.
MEC Nkosi also announced that the Gauteng Tolling Strategy has been approved by the Executive Council. The department is in the process of formulating the Gauteng Tolling Bill. To achieve set objectives, the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) will assist and act as an implementing agency.
It was further stated that the department is coming up with the Turn-Around Strategy for the Driver and Learner Testing Centres (DLTCs) whose objectives include addressing the backlog with testing for driver licenses; increase the capacity to test for driver licenses; improve service delivery at registering authorities (RA's), vehicle testing stations (VTS), and DLTCs to address fraud and corruption. The department will facilitate the appointment of additional examiners at both municipal and provincial DLTCs to increase the number of testing slots.
The Department's partnership with the South African post Office (SAPO) has grown to 150 post office sites for processing of vehicle license renewals. The MEC promised that additional 110 SAPO sites will be added during the 2010/11 financial year to improve delivery of licensing services.
The MEC also undertook to rollout the new number series on aluminum plates with securitised intelligent features as from October this year. A project team has been appointed to oversee the rollout of this project. The department is in constant interaction with industry with a view to discussing the RADIO-Frequency Identification as well as other technologies. The new Intelligent Number Plate framework as adopted by the province, the department will introduce the intelligent components in phases. The revision of specifications means the department will not be confined to the RFID technology only.
Source: Department of Roads and Transport, Gauteng Provincial Government
