​Thembisa Shologu
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDRT) has been allocated R9.7 billion towards its strategic focus on transport infrastructure development, efficient transport operations, and administrative excellence.
Tabling the department's 2025/26 Budget Vote at the Provincial Legislature, MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela said that despite the financial constraints, GDRT remains committed to working within budget and reprioritising to meet both immediate and future commitments.
The department has received an additional budget of R314 million, of which R150 million is allocated towards routine road maintenance, R48 million for operational expenses, R35 million for streetlight maintenance on provincial roads, and R80 million for the maintenance of traffic signals.
"In addition to this, R4.2 billion was secured in conditional grants from the National Department of Transport. These grants, the Provincial Roads Maintenance Grant, Public Transport Operations Grant, and the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Integrated Grant, will be instrumental in advancing our infrastructure projects and employment initiatives. 
"In an effort to promote integrated transport planning, the department will strive to further enhance a strategic partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research as a transport policy and planning hub, to promote integrated transport planning, network and systems for the province, further we will strive to ensure that capacity and common 5 data-sharing models are built for municipalities, TAG, GMA, SANRAL, PRASA, and TRANSNET in the province," said MEC Diale-Tlabela.
In response to theft and vandalism of traffic lights, the department has initiated a comprehensive province-wide traffic signal maintenance programme.
The agreement was formalized through a service level agreement signed in February 2025 with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA),
"Under this agreement, the JRA is tasked with the installation and maintenance of traffic control equipment along provincial roads within Johannesburg. This includes repairs to traffic lights, signal gantries, and the installation of electronic communication equipment for remote monitoring systems.
"To combat the rampant vandalism and theft of traffic signals, we launched the 'Adopt and Protect A Robot' campaign. This public-private partnership involves local businesses and communities in safeguarding traffic infrastructure," said Diale-Tlabela.
She said the department was working hard to turn the tide against poor performance and utilize all funds allocated to projects.
Adding that poor performance by service providers will not be tolerated, as it contributes to delays and wasteful expenditure of limited financial resources.
"To this effect, to implement effective contract management and performance, we have terminated the contractor who was initially awarded the K31 project for poor performance, and a new replacement contractor has taken up the site. The professional service provider (PSP) for R82 was terminated, and a new PSP has resumed work.
"The Department has further managed to terminate and replace the winning bidder on the K175 project as they failed to adhere to the contract management requirements of the Department as stipulated in the project specification. The K175 project is underway and is planned to be completed in September 2025," Diale-Tlabela said.