Motorists are urged to consider changing to public transport as the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) begins necessary repairs to one of the city’s major highways. Work on the M1 Double-Decker bridge is expected to cost R82 million. This includes rehabilitation and structural repairs‚ asphalt surfacing‚ expansion joints‚ drainage systems and new road signs.“We anticipate that the impact of flash flooding on the Double Decker section will be significantly reduced on completion‚ as the rehabilitation includes drainage improvement and doubling-up of existing drainage infrastructure ensuring the bridge is able to effectively deal with large volumes of storm-water runoff‚” JRA Acting Managing Director Mpho Kau said in a statement.The rehabilitation is part of the City’s R365 million programme to rehabilitate ageing infrastructure and improve road safety on the M1 freeway. Other projects currently under way include the rehabilitation of both Federation and Oxford Bridges as well as the re-construction of the 2km of dual carriageway between Rockridge Road and Federation Road. In addition‚ the entire 3km of existing storm water drainage system will be replaced between Rockridge Bridge and Federation Road Bridge on the freeway‚ as well as on Oxford and Federation Roads below the freeway.“The safety of road-users is a priority for the JRA‚ and maintaining our road infrastructure is an important component of this. High quality roads contribute significantly to economic growth‚ and making citizens’ lives easier‚” Kau said. The extensive repair work to the M1 will take 18 months to complete.The JRA cautioned: “This will mean that Johannesburg motorists will have to budget more time for their travel along this key route. Motorists are encouraged to explore alternate routes and make use of available public transport services‚ where possible”...