The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) is upgrading the N1 Great North Toll Road including the Eastern Ring Road and naturally, locals will benefit.

An estimated 230 jobs for locals is expected to be created for the upgrading.

Vusi Mona, SANRALs spokesperson, said: “These jobs will be in the form of builders and labourers from the city and surrounds, to assist in the completion of the project.”

The National Route N1 is the link between South Africa and the rest of Africa and forms an essential link to stimulate economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa as well as local economic development in the metropolitan area of Polokwane.

Upgrading progress

Sanral recently upgraded sections between Makhado and Musina, and is currently upgrading the section between Beit Bridge and Musina. Furthermore, planning for a ring road at Musina is far advanced, leaving the section of the N1 at Polokwane as the only section that is not free flowing on the N1 north.

As a result, Polokwane experiences a mix between local and through traffic in the CBD, resulting in pedestrian conflict, as well as damage to pavements. Taking through traffic out of the CBD will have a positive effect on road user safety, the ambience and nature of the CBD.

Sanral proposes to complete the approximately 6.5 km section of the Eastern Ring Road by March 2018.

The proposal includes the construction of interchanges at crossroads such as the Burgersfort (R37), Tzaneen (R71), and R81 roads, which will also improve accessibility to Moria.

Moria is The Zion Christian Church’s headquarters and hosts the largest Christian gathering in South Africa twice a year, in Easter and again on December.

Sanral completed the financial feasibility study of the project and is currently progressing with the geometric design for the project. The bulk of the land has been acquired. The environment impact assessment (EIA) commenced in August 2007.