Transportation
How Will Johannesburg Pay For its $2.5 Billion Highway Upgrade?
Officials planned to use toll revenue, but a court ruled the fees illegal. This leaves the cash-strapped government in a lurch.
The massive ring highway around Johannesburg, South Africa, is a congested mess, and an expensive one to boot.
The government borrowed about $2.5 billion to upgrade the road and planned to recoup some of the cost with a fancy new toll system. The fees would range from about 1.5 rand to more than 50 rand (18 cents to $6 USD) depending on the type of car and the distance. For example, a 35 kilometer commute from downtown Johannesburg to the city's other prominent center, Sandton, would cost about $1.55 a day.