This festive season the N4 Toll Route is expected to be extremely busy. Trans African Concessions (TRAC) is thus conducting major preparations throughout its 570km road to prevent major traffic delays and backlogs often experienced during the end-of-year holiday period.
To accommodate the expected surge in traffic, TRAC will ensure that all N4 toll plazas are fully staffed on earmarked days and will also conduct double route patrols on specific days during the holiday period. In addition, its roadside assistance and 24-hour Helpdesk teams will be on full alert throughout this period.
Traffic on the N4 Toll Route is expected to peak on December 11, 15, 18, 23 and 24 and again on 3 January. On 11 December, double patrols will be conducted as a preventative measure against any traffic disruptions. On the other days, double route patrols and road standbys will be done.
These road standbys will see TRACAssist, in collaboration with emergency services such as the SAPS, paramedics, fire and rescue and provincial traffic, deployed to strategic points along the route – Bronkhorstspruit, Middelburg, Milly’s, Mbombela (Nelspruit), Hectorspruit, Komatipoort and Matola Weighbridge (Mozambique) – to enhance incident/accident support.
Road users should note that delays and traffic congestion are expected near and at the Lebombo and Ressano Garcia border posts in Komatipoort and therefore those travelling between South Africa and Mozmabique are urged to plan their trips accordingly.
TRAC also reminds the public that although delays at the border impact traffic flow on the N4, border clearing processes do not fall under TRAC’s jurisdiction and it therefore cannot be held liable for, or assist with, backlogs relating to this issue. TRAC has however committed to helping with certain logistical requirements that are expected to improve traffic flow during busy times.
The following border traffic management operations will also come into effect on 13 December:
PRESS RELEASE
South Africa (eastbound)
* A traffic control point at Coopersdal, where all vehicles are to come to a dead stop. Be patient and expect an approximate 30-minute delay.
* Taxis will be diverted to the old Komatipoort Airfield, which has been prepped by TRAC toaccommodate over 1 000 vehicles at a time. Clearing will be done at this facility and taxis will then be escorted to the border.
* Commercial vehicles (trucks) will be redirected onto the Coopersdal road (R582) and Strydomsblok, to be processed at KM 7.
* Busses will also be cleared at KM 7.
* Private vehicles must proceed straight on the N4, to the Lebombo Border Post. These road users are urged to stay in the left lane, after passing the BP garage, as the right lane will be reserved for trucks, convoys and official vehicles.
* To avoid unnecessary traffic on the route, vehicles en route to Komatipoort, Kruger National Park or Ngwenya Lodge are advised to use the Tenbosch turnoff.
Mozambique (westbound)
* There will be three lanes of traffic in the westbound lane and one lane in the opposite direction.
* There will be five stop areas, one next to Moamba, for observation purposes only, one compulsory stop at KM 14 and another one next to the cemetery in Ressano Garcia.
* At the remaining two locations, traffic will be split as follows: Main dispatching of travellers at KM 4 and KM 7. Organising of Police escort at KM 4.
* Each control point will be manned by the police, customs and immigration officials.
* Public transport terminal will be transferred to the Ressano Garcia Border Post.
TRAC is also pleased to announce that construction on the N4 Toll Route will be on hold during the construction sector’s annual leave period between 19 December 2020 and 05 January 2021. However, all construction areas will still be deemed active and road users are urged to be cautious and obey road signage.
The safety and wellbeing of the N4 Toll Route’s road users is TRAC’s primary concern and it urges everyone using its beautiful route this holiday season to make full use of the TRAC Helpdesk by calling or sending a WhatsApp to 0800 87 22 64 for quick, effective assistance for any problem.
TRAC further encourages road users to stay abreast of news about the route, throughout the festive season, by following it on Twitter @TRACN4route, Facebook @TRACN4 or logging onto our website www.tracn4.co.za.