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Media Release

SANRAL lays the groundwork for construction in Giyani

Pretoria, 18 February 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) visited stakeholders in the Greater Giyani Municipality on Thursday 17 February 2022 to talk about upcoming projects in the area.

The visit is part of the roads agency’s stakeholder outreach efforts, which seeks to engage relevant stakeholders on SANRAL projects in the area, and importantly, to promote transformation in the industry by opening doors for SMMEs to participate in the planned projects.

The ‘Taking Sanral to the People’ engagement is a flagship event which was launched with the purpose of building and maintaining relations with stakeholders through effective engagement, and to discuss opportunities for local small, medium and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) to participate in SANRAL projects, said Melba Geca, SANRAL Stakeholder Coordinator.

“As the roads agency, reporting to the national Department of Transport, we should ensure that our strategic planning processes are aligned with that of our stakeholders and that they provide professional and technical support in the delivery of stakeholder projects, including skills transfers,” said Geca.

These engagements are imperative for the roads agency as they help in understanding the sentiments of the communities on the ground which will assist with being more proactive instead of reactive when dealing with issues.

The platform afforded all key stakeholders from the respective sectors to have a voice regarding the challenges and concerns faced, as well as to pledge support and work together and succeed together.

Among those in attendance were Greater Giyani Local Municipality Councillors: Head of Roads and Transport, Cllr MR Mashale; Acting Mayor, Cllr Cedrick Baloyi; Head of Infrastructure, Cllr TJJ Mabunda; members from Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL), members from the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), traditional leaders, local business forums and community members.

SANRAL project managers for the Northern Region, Thabo Mahlakwana, Lawrence Chauke and Lucky Negogogo, unpacked the following planned projects falling within the boundaries of Greater Giyani Local Municipality, which included:

• Upgrading of Provincial Road D3810, from Thomo to Hlomela from gravel to surface standards, which will include drainage and ancillary works. The total length of the project is 29.5 km. SANRAL is implementing the project on behalf of Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) as part of the Presidential stimulus projects. The project is currently in the preliminary design stage with the detailed designs expected to be completed by September 2022.
• Upgrading of Provincial Road D3187, from Mageva to Makhuva, from gravel to surfaced standards. The procurement process to appoint the Engineering Service provider is still underway and expected to be finalised by March 2022.
• Improvement of National Road R578 Section 1, from Nwamatatani to the junction with the R81 National Road in Giyani: The project is currently in the design stage, and the contractor is expected to be procured in November 2022. The scope of work includes the improvement of intersections, public transport bays, upgrading of all bridge structures, and ancillary works such as fencing, guardrails and traffic signs.

Planned Routine Road Maintenance Projects (RRM)

The following are the planned RRM projects to be conducted by VEA Road Maintenance and Civils (Pty) Ltd, which has a 51% black ownership. The estimated budget is R 8,8 million, at least 50% of this will be sublet to targeted enterprises who meet the requirements.

• RRM of national road R81 from Molemole municipal boundary to Giyani.
• RRM of national road R578 from Collins Chabane municipal boundary to Giyani.
• RRM of national road R529 from Greater Giyani municipal boundary to Giyani.
• RRM of R36 from Greater Tzaneen municipal boundary through Modjadjiskloof to Molemole municipal boundary.

The Acting Mayor, Councillor Cedrick Baloyi, said he welcomed the engagements by SANRAL as they would bring about much needed progress and growth to the area and give first-hand knowledge of how road infrastructure in Greater Giyani local municipality and the entire Limpopo province would unfold.

“With SANRAL, things are promising. We needed this engagement to lift our spirits and bring hope to our people, because for a long since 2019 there’s been no activities around road infrastructure” said Baloyi.

He further celebrated SANRAL for their consideration and upliftment of local SMMEs and felt assured that there would be transformation in the industry, which will go a long way towards uplifting local businesses and growing the local economy.

SANRAL has pledged to work with the stakeholders in Giyani to achieve great milestones.

MEDIA RELEASE

N7 upgrade – A well constituted PLC is of cardinal importance

Western Cape, 18 February 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has commenced with the upgrade of the N7 between Rooidraai and Moorreesburg in the Swartland Local Municipality and wishes to assure all stakeholders of its commitment to constitute a Project Liaison Committee (PLC) that is fully representative of all stakeholders impacted by the project.

The upgrade project, which has a contract duration of three years, entails the widening of the road and structures, as well as adding of overtaking lanes.

Following a series of engagements with communities within the Swartland Local Municipality in January 2022, it was evident that communities demand relevant and suitable representation on the PLC.

“We have heard the appeals from several communities and, within the next three weeks, SANRAL will be engaging affected communities to ensure they are able to nominate leaders who represent their interests on the PLC. We will ensure stakeholders are kept informed of progress, so that nobody misses out on any opportunities during this time,” said Petronella Theron, SANRAL Project Manager in the Western Region.

It is also important to note that the members of the PLC representing communities and stakeholders perform an oversight role over the respective SANRAL project. They are not involved or allowed to influence the awarding of subcontractor tenders or who get jobs on those projects.

The primary function of the PLC is to create a platform for project liaison, with regards to works execution, subcontracting and employment facilitation. The PLC also monitors and ensures fairness and transparency in the awarding of subcontractor tenders and employment opportunities.

“Due to potential conflict of interest, members of the PLC may not tender for work on this project or resign from the PLC in order to pursue a subcontractor construction tender. It is therefore important that PLC members simply wish to serve the community and must ensure that timely feedback is given to respective communities and stakeholders that they represent,” explained Theron.

SANRAL will continue to engage with stakeholders in the Swartland Local Municipality and is committed to a well-constituted and fully functional PLC so that nothing derails the progress of this project.

Traffic Advisory

 Expected road closures due to sinkhole on R21

 Pretoria, 16 February 2022 – The South African National Road Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) would like to notify the public and road users of possible road closures due to a new sinkhole that formed along the R21 near Olifantsfontein.

Two sinkholes formed on Monday afternoon just before 16h00 along the R21 northbound carriageway towards Pretoria, just after the Olifantsfontein interchange at R21 section 2 km3.2, according to Louw Kannemeyer, SANRAL’s Engineering Executive.

“One sinkhole developed just outside our road reserve fence boundary, and the second one immediately adjacent to the edge of the R21, penetrating about two meters underneath the road up to the slow lane and five to six meters deep currently,” said Kannemeyer.

Cracks also formed in the road surface in the outer two slow lanes, which called for the immediate closure of the outer two lanes of the road.

“Preliminary assessments have been performed by SANRAL engineers, and we are currently in process with the emergency appointment of the required geotechnical engineering specialists to assist with the specialist investigations required,” said Kannemeyer.

During this period, SANRAL will be installing New Jersey concrete barriers to ensure public safety (like applied at the N1 sinkhole) while awaiting the outcome of the investigations.

The lane closures will remain in place until the specialist investigations and remedial measures have been implemented, Kannemeyer said. How long that will take is dependent on extent of the sinkhole, which at this stage remains to be quantified.

“The R21 northbound will be reduced to two lanes in the direction of Pretoria just after the Olifantsfontein interchange for the foreseeable future, resulting in associated congestion during peak hour periods.  Road users are advised to take this into account in their daily planning and consider alternative routes such as M18 and M57 which run parallel to the west of the R21 in the vicinity of the affected area,” he said.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused during this period and will continue to provide updates to road users as information becomes available.

Traffic Advisory

Traffic deviation on N1 Musina due to construction

Figure 1: Road users to expect deviations on N1 Musina due to construction

Pretoria, 15 February 2022 – The South African National Road Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) would like to notify the public and road users to expect deviations on the N1 just north of Musina in Limpopo.

This is due to a necessary revised configuration on the N1 to enable the construction of a tie-in of the new Ring Road into the existing N1 between the old R572 intersection, opposite China mall, and the temporary deviation intersection to the R572, some 1.2km further north.

According to Hennie Kotze, Project Engineer at SANRAL’s Northern Region, construction is scheduled to take place from 15 February 2022 until 31 July 2022 and will result in the closure of the existing N1 between these two points.

Motorists and others using the N1 in both directions and those who wish to gain access to the R572 from the N1 and from the R572 will be affected. Access to and from Elias Ramuthivheli Street to these routes will also be affected.

Road users will be accommodated as follows:

Figure 2: Intersection 1 From Musina along the N1 towards Beit Bridge and the R572

 From Musina along the N1 towards Beit Bridge and the R572:

With the existing N1 being permanently closed off just north of the old R572 intersection with the N1, road users will be diverted sharp left opposite the China Mall onto a deviation (At the first intersection – indicated as intersection 1 on the above diagram). Turn right at the 1st intersection and continue towards intersection 2. At intersection 2, those heading for Beit Bridge will continue straight and eventually merge with the existing N1 at intersection 3. Road users on their way to the R572 will take the left slip lane at intersection 2 and eventually merge with the R572 along the current R572 deviation.

Figure 3: Intersection 3 From Beit Bridge along the N1 towards the R572 & Musina

 From Beit Bridge along the N1 towards the R572 & Musina:

With the existing N1 being closed off permanently at the existing temporary R572 intersection, road users will be diverted gently to the right (as indicated on the above diagram of intersection 3). Road users on their way to the R572 are to continue to intersection 2 and use the right turning lane at the intersection. After stopping and turning right, continue on the current R572 deviation until it merges with the R572. Those heading to Musina along the N1 will continue through intersection 2. At intersection 1 they will have to take the sharp left turning lane and go through another sharp right turn (opposite the China Mall) where they will merge with the existing N1 to Musina.

Figure 4: Intersection 2 From R572 to Musina, Beit Bridge & Elias Ramuthivheli Street

From R572 to Musina, Beit Bridge & Elias Ramuthivheli Street:

From the R572 in the direction of Musina – use the existing deviation just past the Sediba (Elegant) Diesel Depot & Truck Stop and continue along the deviation until the first new temporary intersection (as indicated on the above diagram for intersection 2). After stopping, road users heading for Musina and Elias Ramuthivheli Street will turn sharp right and after a second stop, will join the N1 Beit bridge Musina traffic through a second right turn in the intersection. Those heading for Beit bridge will after the first stop, take the slip lane to the left joining the N1 Musina – Beit bridge traffic.

At the next intersection indicated as intersection 1 on the attached diagrams road users heading for Musina will take the slip lane to the left and go through another sharp right turn (opposite the China Mall) before joining the existing N1 towards Musina. Those heading for Elias Ramuthivheli Street will continue straight through the intersection into Elias Eamuthivheli Street, after stopping.

“SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused and appreciates the cooperation and patience of road users during the construction period. We furthermore appeal to motorists to approach construction areas with caution, to reduce speed and always be on the lookout for pedestrians and construction workers. We will endeavour to complete the work as soon as possible,” said Kotze.

UPDATE: TRAFFIC ADVISORY
NATIONAL ROUTE 3 (N3) HAVE BEEN OPENED

Pietermaritzburg, 12 February 2022 – The National Route 3 (N3) northbound and southbound in Ashburton has been reopened for traffic after a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker overturned on Friday, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The N3 has been opened in both directions but it will take time to clear the backlog. Heavy duty tow trucks were used to remove the tanker which enabled us to open the road. This will help ease the traffic that had backed up to approximately 13 kilometers,” said Dumisani Nkabinde, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Manager.

Further updates will be shared during the day.

UPDATE: TRAFFIC ADVISORY

NATIONAL ROUTE 3 (N3) CLOSED BETWEEN ASHBURTON AND LYNNFIELD PARK

Pietermaritzburg, 12 February 2022 – The National Route 3 (N3) from Ashburton to Lynnfield Park has been closed after a Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) tanker overturned, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“Total diversion onto R103 is in place and traffic is now backed up to approximately 13 kilometers. It may take most part of the day to clear this backlog as we are dealing with a dangerous and unpredictable gas. eThekwini and N3TC are providing backup service and resources while uMgungundlovu Emergency Services are still on scene,” said Dumisani Nkabinde, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Manager.

The tanker is still lying on its side and the cargo is unstable.

“SANRAL would like to apologise for the inconvenience and disruption this has caused to the travelling public. Motorists are advised to approach Pietermaritzburg cautiously and delay their trips if possible. The fire department technicians are working

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Lane closure on N2 Sir Lowry’s Pass, for slope stabilisation

Western Cape, 26 January 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) hereby informs road users of a lane closure on the N2 Section 2 in Sir Lowry’s Pass in the Western Cape.

SANRAL is currently executing a slope stabilisation project on the rock cutting, that involves removing loose rocks, drilling and grouting in some 600 threaded steel anchors, varying in length between 10m and 15m and then placing rock-filled gabions in 3 meter lifts which are held in place by the rock anchors.

“This work is necessitated by the long-term weathering that has occurred on a 300m stretch of exposed cut-face on the mountain side of the N2, some 400m after the hairpin bend when ascending the pass from the Gordons Bay approach,” said Senzo Ngobese, SANRAL Project Manager.

The lane closure, which is approximately 1.4 km in length, includes approximately 500m on either side of the working zone. This allows for advance warning signage and tapering. The closure is currently in effect and will remain in place until end of May 2022. This is to give the contractor sufficient working space while stabilising the slope of the rock cutting. Two way  traffic will be maintained throughout the construction period.

“SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused by the roadworks. We furthermore appeal to road users to be vigilant, patient and compliant with speed restrictions in the construction area. The long-term benefit of safer passage, by far outweigh the short-term inconvenience,” concluded
Ngobese.

MEDIA RELEASE
N7 upgrade – SANRAL engaging Swartland stakeholders about project participation

Western Cape, 8 February 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is currently engaging SMMEs and local labour for project participation opportunities that come with the R600 million upgrade of the N7 from Rooidraai to Moorreesburg.

The work entails widening the cross section of the N7 section 2 (for approximately 25km) and the construction of additional climbing lanes for improved road safety and ease of traffic flow.

With the three-month mobilisation period being concluded, the contractor, Martin & East, is advertising work packages in line with SANRAL’s Transformation Policy and government’s Preferential Procurement Regulations, which dictates that a minimum of 30% of the contract value of all projects is to be subcontracted to targeted enterprises. This prioritises economic development opportunities for black-owned entities, including women-owned businesses, youth-owned businesses and businesses owned by persons with disabilities.

“We have in the last week met with stakeholders in Malmesbury, Moorreesburg and Darling and we will continue to engage with communities in the Swartland Local Municipality as work packages are let to tender. This would ensure subcontractors have all the relevant information that allows them to tender competitively and profitably for these economic opportunities,” said Petronella Theron, SANRAL Project Manager.

Part of the engagements have also been with local labour, which will be sourced from all the towns in the Swartland Local Municipality. Approximately 180 job opportunities will be available over the next three years.

“We want to ensure we make the recruitment process as transparent and inclusive as possible. To this end, we have extended the process of compiling a labour database, with communities having additional time to submit their CVs for consideration. Furthermore, we are actively driving nominations of community representatives to serve on the Project Liaison Committee (PLC) so that this oversight body can be truly reflective of the labour market,” explained Theron.

Apart from the construction project, SANRAL has also set aside funding for community development. This will involve training, capacity building and skills development that would equip people in the Swartland Local Municipality with tools to access jobs and economic development opportunities that may arise in future.

“We will be working in the Swartland Local Municipality, and by extension the West Coast District Municipality, for the next three years, and SANRAL is committed to ensuring that the people of the Swartland have maximum opportunities to benefit from this upgrade project,” concluded Theron.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Sinkhole rehabilitation on the N1 Section 21 at km 22.1 Southbound

Gauteng, 03 February 2022: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to notify travellers that the N1 South bound between N1 / R21 (Flying Saucer Interchange) and Botha Avenue southbound will be closed from Sunday 6 February 2022 at 23:00hrs to Monday, 7 February 2022 at 04:00hrs. During this period only one lane will be open.

The closure is required for gravity survey testing taking place in the fast lanes of the southbound carriageway as part of the geotechnical investigations required for the remediation works on the sink hole.

The duration of the closure will be kept as short as possible.

Motorist travelling southwards towards Johannesburg may consider using the following alternative routes:

• From Polokwane, offramp at Proefplaas Interchange (145) towards Pretoria CBD using the N4 / M2 and join M3 towards Fountains and join the N14.

• From OR Tambo International airport, continue on R21 towards Fountain circle and join the N14.

“Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly, consider alternative routes and use caution when making use of the roads,” said Mr. Progress Hlahla, SANRAL Northern Region’s Regional Manager.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.