National
80% of SA road network beyond its lifespan─── 09:16 Wed, 05 Sep 2012
Johannesburg - The transport department says 80% of South Africa's road network is older than its design life of 20 years and there is not enough money to fix the problem.
Transport director general, George Mahlalela told members of Parliament's transport portfolio committee that maintaining rural roads had to be balanced with a need for improved access routes to key tourist destinations.
He said his department understood the serious economic benefits of tourism, but the balancing act needed to be acknowledged at the same time. He reiterated that there were insufficient funds to deal with maintenance backlogs, saying the department requires around R80bn annually and only generates R36bn a year.
The department said it was planning to fast-track the implementation of a new rail policy in a bid to reduce freight traffic.
Sapa
Transport director general, George Mahlalela told members of Parliament's transport portfolio committee that maintaining rural roads had to be balanced with a need for improved access routes to key tourist destinations.
He said his department understood the serious economic benefits of tourism, but the balancing act needed to be acknowledged at the same time. He reiterated that there were insufficient funds to deal with maintenance backlogs, saying the department requires around R80bn annually and only generates R36bn a year.
The department said it was planning to fast-track the implementation of a new rail policy in a bid to reduce freight traffic.
Sapa
