Good news for road repairs in one of South Africa’s biggest cities

The City of Tshwane recently gained control of the Bon Accord Quarry on the outskirts of Pretoria, allowing it to produce its own hot asphalt for road repairs.

The Bon Accord Quarry was placed under a Section 54 notice by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy in 2023 due to non-compliance with the Mine Health and Safety Act.

As a result, its emissions licence was not renewed in June 2023 when it expired.

Delivering her inaugural State of the City Address this April, Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya revealed that the metro recently acquired a new five-year Atmosphere Emission License for operating the valuable quarry.

Additionally, she said that Tshwane has already been producing asphalt for road infrastructure for three months.

It used the material to patch potholes and resurface roads in Ga-Rankuwa and Winterveld, as well as complete stopped roads projects in townships.

Moya further indicated that the City will be looking for more buyers for the black gold to boost its revenue.

“Having a five-year licence to produce our own hot asphalt, we are not only saving on the cost of servicing our own roads infrastructure but have the potential to sell to the market,” said Moya.

The Bon Accord Quarry houses both a crusher and an asphalt plant.

It boasts a capacity to produce 300 tons of hot mix asphalt per day, around triple the City of Tshwane’s daily requirements of 90 to 100 tons.

It plays a critical role in the mayoral executive’s 100-day Action Plan to resuming critical road infrastructure projects and accelerating the repair of roads.

“One of our priorities as a City is to ensure that we decrease our reliance on service providers,” Moya said previously.

“The ownership of this mine by the City, and its continued operation, means that we can save costs and fulfil our mandate to residents.”

Tshwane road upgrades

Alongside the revival of the quarry, Moya announced several transport network upgrades for the City of Tshwane over the coming years.

Chief among these is the rollout of the Integrated Rapid Public Transport Network.

“This initiative is designed to offer faster, more efficient, and affordable public transport options for our residents, while easing congestion and reducing Tshwane’s carbon footprint,” said Moya.

To support this expansion, the City is prioritising the construction and upgrading of key infrastructure along affected routes including Lynnwood Road and Atterbury Road.

The project includes upgrades to the Kings Highway Culvert and sewer diversion works, creating the capacity for frequent bus services and smoother traffic flow.

It also comprises the construction of 3.4km of dedicated bus lanes as well as pedestrian sidewalks, cycle
paths, and landscaping to improve accessibility, safety, and visual appeal of the area.

“These upgrades will not only make daily commuting more comfortable and efficient, but also signal our commitment to safer, greener and more inclusive public transport in Tshwane,” said Moya.

Furthermore, the mayor announced a massive upgrade to Garsfontein Road, which will be expanded to from a mostly single- to a four-lane carriageway between January Masilela Drive and Loristo Street.

This important project is expected to be completed by June 2027.

Finally, Moya said the municipal government is actively engaging with e-hailing and metered taxi operators to build stronger relationships and address the challenges they face.