GAUTENG PROVIDES REPORT ON SUSTAINED INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS, LICENCING EXPANDED ACCESS AND JOB CREATION
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) has reported continued progress in maintaining and expanding the province’s transport infrastructure, improving access to public services and creating economic opportunities, while acknowledging ongoing challenges related to road safety, infrastructure backlogs, project implementation and financial pressures.
MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, was tabling the Department’s 2025/26 Annual Report at the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on Friday, 04 September 2026.
The Annual Report provided an account of the Department’s performance during the financial year and highlights both progress made and areas requiring further intervention.
Sustained investment in Gauteng’s road network
Over the past five years, the Department has undertaken significant maintenance, rehabilitation and infrastructure development across the province.
During this period, the Department undertook over 52 00 pothole repairs, conducted maintenance on approximately 650 000 square metres of road surface and completed 40 483 square metres of edge repairs.
These interventions have contributed to road maintenance efforts to the provincial network, prolong the lifespan of key infrastructure, as well as contributing to safety for all road users.
The MEC reported the Department completed 13 major capital infrastructure projects, including key upgrades to the R101, K46, K69 and K73/D51, as well as the delivery of 97 kilometres of improved roads as part of the Emfuleni 40 Roads Programme.
Major rehabilitation work was also completed on Road D483 and Road P241, while strategic bridge infrastructure was strengthened through projects including work associated with the K174 Vaal River City Interchange and repairs to the Hendrik Potgieter Bridge.
These interventions are aimed at preserving the provincial road network, improving road-user safety, strengthening connectivity between communities and economic centres, and facilitating the movement of people and freight.
Infrastructure delivery creating work opportunities
The report also detailed infrastructure investments as contributing to creation of employment opportunities, particularly for young people and other priority groups.
Through the Expanded Public Works Programme, the Department created up to 7 064 work opportunities, including opportunities for up to 4 005 young people, 4 335 women and 43 persons with disabilities.
Road infrastructure maintenance is among the areas in which young people are being deployed, strengthening the link between public infrastructure programmes, skills development and economic participation.
Restoring traffic infrastructure and improving road safety
The Department has continued efforts to restore critical traffic infrastructure affected by theft and vandalism.
Of the 547 signalised intersections under the Department’s responsibility, 130 stolen and vandalised intersections were rebuilt over the five-year period. As of May 2026, 330 intersections were operational.
The restoration programme of traffic signals remains an important component of improving road safety and ensuring the efficient movement of vehicles and pedestrians across the province.
Road safety remains one of the Department’s most urgent priorities.
The Department, working with the broader road safety and law enforcement cluster, continues to conduct intelligence-led enforcement operations targeting unroadworthy vehicles, non-compliant operators and unsafe, unlicensed and illegal transport operations.
The Department places strong emphasis on enforcement being complemented by stronger compliance, coordination and road-safety education, with particular attention to vulnerable road users and learners dependent on scholar transport.
Bringing transport services closer to communities
During the 2025/26 financial year, the Department continued implementing the #GrowingGautengTogether Through Smart Mobility 2030 Plan, with a focus on safer roads, functioning intersections, reliable public transport facilities and more accessible government services.
The Department completed the Vereeniging Main Taxi Rank, providing commuters in the south of the province with a safer and more dignified public transport facility.
Three Smart Licensing Centres in Mamelodi, Soweto and Mohlakeng have also brought licensing services closer to communities while creating 30 permanent jobs.
These newly established centres have redefined vehicle and driver licensing services by enhancing customer experience through improved convenience, professionalism, and operational efficiency.
The Department also successfully completed the pilot of the new Vehicle Number Plate System through g-FleeT Management, using 300 government vehicles. The final monitoring report has been completed, with the Gauteng pilot providing a benchmark for the envisaged national rollout.
The system has the potential to strengthen vehicle identification, support law enforcement and contribute to improved road safety.
Advancing integrated and smart mobility
The Department is also advancing transit-oriented development, with the objective of transforming transport facilities into integrated commuter and economic hubs where public transport, commercial activity and essential services are located closer to communities.
The approach forms part of broader efforts to improve mobility while supporting economic activity and access to opportunities.
Looking beyond the immediate financial year, the Department is implementing the reviewed Integrated Transport Master Plan, which provides a 25-year framework for Gauteng’s roads, public transport and freight network.
The long-term framework addresses key priorities including decarbonisation, smart technology, freight logistics, transit-oriented development and universal access.
The Department is also advancing the establishment of the Transport Authority of Gauteng, intended to strengthen coordination across provincial roads, public transport operations, freight movement and long-term infrastructure planning.
Groundwork for its operation as an independent agency is currently under way.
Strategic future investments under consideration include the Gauteng-Limpopo rail link and the future expansion of the Gautrain network. These projects will require rigorous planning, financial assessment and strong partnerships to ensure long-term sustainability.
Addressing areas of underperformance
While the annual report reflects significant progress, the Department acknowledges that challenges remain.
Infrastructure backlogs, implementation delays, contractor performance, project disruptions, financial pressures and capacity constraints continue to affect delivery in some areas.
The Department will continue to strengthen project planning, contract management, programme monitoring and consequence management to identify and improve performance.
This will include strengthening alignment between planning, budgeting and implementation to ensure targets are properly resourced, measurable and supported by clear responsibilities and timeframes.
Financial management remains a key priority, with an emphasis on ensuring that public resources are managed efficiently and deliver maximum value to the people of Gauteng.
Priorities for the next phase
The Department has identified several immediate priorities to strengthen delivery and improve the province’s transport system.
These include:
- Finalising the Sustainable Mobility Strategy;
- Strengthening implementation of the Integrated Transport Master Plan;
- Advancing the establishment of the Transport Authority of Gauteng;
- Setting clear targets for road maintenance, rehabilitation and infrastructure delivery;
- Expanding the use and adoption of smart technologies;
- Advancing Transit-Oriented Development;
- Strengthening road safety and scholar transport interventions; and
- Linking youth employment and skills development more directly to infrastructure programmes.
The plan is to ensure priorities are translated into measurable targets, with clear timeframes and strengthened monitoring mechanisms.
Commitment to delivery
MEC Diale-Tlabela indicated the Department’s focus remains firmly on delivery that impacts and improves the daily lives of Gauteng residents.
“The Annual Report demonstrates that substantial work has been delivered, including major road and bridge projects, the restoration of public infrastructure, improved access to government services and the creation of numerous work opportunities. However, we are not claiming that every challenge has been resolved. The infrastructure backlog remains, road safety remains an urgent concern, and areas of underperformance require focused corrective action,” noted the MEC.
She also indicated that the next phase of delivery must build on existing gains while addressing weaknesses identified through performance and oversight processes.
“Gauteng requires a well-maintained road network, public transport facilities that are safe and functional, enforcement that protects law-abiding road users, and infrastructure investment that supports economic growth and creates opportunity,” the MEC stated.
“The standard against which the Department must continue to be judged is delivery – fixing roads before deterioration becomes a greater burden, restoring vandalised traffic infrastructure, providing safe and dignified public transport facilities, bringing licensing services closer to residents, and directing infrastructure investment towards economic opportunity,” concluded the MEC.
SUPPLIED.
