​The Department of Roads and Transport has unveiled its Transport Infrastructure House (TIH), a project monitoring and management facility to facilitate for intervention and resolution of bottlenecks that result in delays and cost overruns. It hopes to fast-track the delivery of roads and transport related projects through the use of smart technology and data.
TIH will assist the Department gain a full view of its 67 transport infrastructure projects - to the value of R23 billion - from planning, design to construction. The facility brings under one roof critical expertise from within the Department and its entities, the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) as well as g-Fleet Management to monitor projects and troubleshoot promptly to prevent costly delays.
Speaking at the launch, MEC Jacob Mamabolo said "we are acutely aware of the state of our economy following months of depression due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, these 67 projects become critical in helping us grow the economy of our province and the create much-needed jobs. The TIH will help us bring about efficiencies in the project delivery pipeline so that infrastructure is delivered on time, within budget and at the right quality".
"This launch is part of the implementation of commitments we made in our strategic vision of Growing Gauteng Together Through Smart Mobility. Today we are confirming that we have created capacity to deliver transport infrastructure".
He also announced that amongst its tasks, the TIH will work with private developers to ensure the Department supports the development of new cities with roads and other transport infrastructure.
"For many years these developers have been knocking at our doors without being assisted. Due to inefficiencies in our internal process, we have held back massive investments into our projects. With the introduction of the TIH, many of these developers know where to find us" said the MEC.
The TIH will also assist the Department, through its expertise, to prioritise the maintenance of road infrastructure. The Department will work in partnership with municipalities to ensure roads are kept to acceptable standards, are safe and allow for easy movement of people and goods across regions of the province and beyond.
Meanwhile, the MEC also announced the launch of the Smart Roads Friday – a campaign to attend to improve road conditions. Said the MEC "I am happy to announce that this month we will be launching Smart Roads Friday, a campaign to ensure that together with municipalities, we attend to the important task of improving road conditions – patching of potholes amongst other things".
He added that the Department, as instructed by Premier David Makhura, will prioritise the upgrading of taxi ranks into sustainable, clean and economically viable spaces. 
Amongst the key projects to be targeted include the Vereeniging Intermodal Facility, which has been under construction for more than seven years.