CT's critical funding shortage

A Cape Town study has revealed that to maintain just the category 4 and 5 roads (those in the suburban areas) some R12 billion will be needed over the next 15 years. “But we have only R93 million available in the budget this year,” Melissa Whitehead, commissioner transport for the City of Cape Town, told FTW last week. “Essentially for all five categories of road we have only 10% of what is needed to service only two categories. There are just not enough funds and that means local governments are going to have to find creative and innovative solutions to address road maintenance and the funding of it.” Whitehead said in Cape Town the first step in this regard had been the launch of a transport authority just over a year ago followed by the development of the Transport for Cape Town strategy. “Through this plan we can develop an integrated and intermodal transport system for the City that is aimed at assisting the citizens, its economy and its visitors to ensure long-term prosperity.” INSERT & CAPTION Local governments will have to find creative and innovative solutions to address road maintenance and the funding of it. – Melissa Whitehead