Even the Minister admits that toll-roads hold no benefits

This year has been a one where the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP), commonly known as the toll-roads project has been in the news extensively. This system that forces motorists to pay for the use of highways in Gauteng was bulldozed through without much thought, consultation or consideration for the road user and the consequences on the economy. The fact that Gauteng is the strongest economy not only in South Africa but in Africa as well makes the issue even more serious.

It is thus interesting that in replies to questions (question number 2598) posed by the DA to the Minister of Transport, he says the following, “In my considered view, and in retrospect, the original feasibility study did not sufficiently weigh up international evidence suggesting that freeways expansion often does not in the medium term solve congestion challenges, and often induces greater demand.” The Minister is effectively admitting a mistake by his Ministry and SANRAL (South African National Roads Agency Limited).

Why then is the Minister insistent on going ahead with this project? The reality is that alternatives were not considered. In fact, the Minister says so in the reply when he says that the feasibility study undertaken in 2007 “also failed to consider alternative solutions to congestion – improving public transport provision, moving more freight onto rail and a curb on urban sprawl.” I’m quoting the Minister directly.

The best Christmas gift that the Minister could give South Africa is to completely scrap the toll-roads project and seek alternative methods of funding what has already been done. After all, the Minister is correct in saying that “the projected benefits to road users may, therefore, unfortunately not be forthcoming.”