55 new specialised trucks will help speed up pothole repairs
On Tuesday September 3 KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube unveiled 55 trucks that will be used to improve pothole repair work in the province as part of the October Transport Month Campaign.
The 55 new trucks will be deployed to improve the turnaround time in addressing pothole patching in the province, said Ms Dube-Ncube.
The trucks cost R80 million and are equipped with the latest pothole repair technology. They will be distributed to all 11 districts in the Department of Transports’ District Offices in KwaZulu-Natal. Three trucks will be deployed to each district.
The trucks can carry material, they are also fitted with a toilet, kitchen and can carry up to nine passengers. They will also be deployed to fix roads damaged by floods and this will assist in reducing traffic, said the Premier.
“The trucks are already assisting with pothole repairs near the Molweni area in the eThekwini Metro. The Department of Transport is also doing maintenance work on this road as part of the flood recovery projects,” said Ms Dube-Ncube.
“These trucks will go out to all districts in the province to repair potholes. We have already trained the drivers to operate them. We also urge the community to report any potholes.”
The procurement of these trucks is part of the commitment made by the Premier in her State of the Province Address, during which she promised that government would pay attention to addressing and improving the condition of the provincial road network.
As part of the roll-out of S’thesha Waya Waya, Ms Dube-Ncube, the MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Sipho Hlomuka and MEC for Social Development, Nonhlanhla Khoza, will also issue appointment letters to more than 270 road worker and engineering employees.
“This years’ October Transport Month Campaign is being rolled out under the theme: Siyakha – Building better infrastructure to grow South Africa together! The provincial launch will integrate various aspects, including law enforcement,” said Ms Dube-Ncube.