Motorists will be delighted to know that the construction of plastic roads is in the works and the days of tar roads are numbered. This will assist with avoiding pot holes as the plastic asphalt mix used to make the road is moreresistant to heat than tar. This will be the first of its kind in South Africa.
The plastic used is recycled and reduces the amount of fossil fuel used and the plastic surface is also cheap to maintain. The project was launched in the Eastern Capeand it will take 1.5 tonnes of plastic to pave a 1km road, which means that the 1 km pilot project in Jeffery’s Bay is equivalent to 1.8 million plastic bags.
The plastic roads have been welcomed by politicians for their contribution to building better roads and assisting in reducing pollution. The technology that comes with this exciting project could open up economic opportunities for local communities.
The project is yet to be introduced to other provinces as the struggle of pot holes is a problem and affects everyone in South Africa.
Attempts to reach the Department of Transport for further comment regarding this initiative were unsuccessful by the time of publishing.
