The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is closely monitoring the impact of the prevailing inclement weather conditions on the province’s transport infrastructure and services.
Persistent rainfall has increased the risk of flooding, waterlogging and damage to sections of the provincial road network, while adverse weather conditions may also affect traffic signals, street lighting and public transport services.
MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has directed the Department and its relevant entities to intensify monitoring and response measures following the impact of inclement weather on the province’s transport infrastructure and services.
The Department’s maintenance and response teams remain on standby to attend to reported incidents and infrastructure damage within its mandate.
“The safety of the people of Gauteng remains our priority. We are closely monitoring the transport network and have activated our response mechanisms to deal with weather-related incidents. I have directed our teams to respond with urgency and to ensure that infrastructure faults are followed through until they are resolved,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela.
The Department is monitoring the provincial road network for flooding, damaged road surfaces, drainage problems and other weather-related hazards.
Motorists are urged to reduce speed, maintain a safe following distance and avoid driving through flooded roads or crossing bridges where water levels present a danger.
The Department is also attending to reported traffic signal faults. Where traffic signals are not operational, motorists should approach intersections with extreme caution and treat them as uncontrolled intersections.
“We appeal to motorists to exercise caution and not take unnecessary risks. Where traffic signals or other critical infrastructure are affected, our technical teams are expected to respond as quickly as conditions allow,” said the MEC.
The Department is aware of dysfunctional streetlights along the R24 highway and other provincial roads.
Appointed contractors are currently conducting assessments and implementing repairs across the various provincial road corridors. The Department is monitoring these interventions and will prioritise areas where inadequate lighting may present a safety risk to road users.
“We are aware of the concerns regarding dysfunctional street lighting, including along the R24. Assessments and repairs are underway across the affected corridors. We expect our contractors to deliver on their obligations and will continue to monitor their performance to ensure that the necessary work is undertaken,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela.
The Department is engaging the relevant Gautrain structures regarding the impact of the weather on rail services and associated infrastructure.
Commuters are urged to monitor official Gautrain communication channels for updates on delays, service interruptions and any changes to operations.
“Public transport is essential to the functioning of our province. We are engaging the relevant structures to ensure that weather-related disruptions are managed effectively and that commuters receive timely and accurate information,” said the MEC.
MEC Diale-Tlabela has urged residents to remain vigilant, follow official safety advisories and report hazardous road conditions and infrastructure faults through the appropriate channels.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and deploy available resources where they are most needed. Our message to the people of Gauteng is simple: exercise caution, heed safety warnings and allow our teams the necessary space to respond to incidents safely and efficiently,” said MEC Diale-Tlabela.
For more information, contact the Department’s Head of Communications Ms Melitah Madiba on 073 644 9935 or MEC’s Spokesperson Mr Lesiba Mpya on 078 450 9841 or email pressoffice.gpdrt@gauteng.gov.za
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