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New interchange and Traffic Control Centre for Kokstad

 

The contract for construction of a new interchange and Traffic Control Centre for Kokstad has been awarded. The N2 Kokstad Interchange is located approximately 3km south of the Kokstad central business district. Under this 33-month contract of approximately R563.50 million, at least R169 million will be sub-contracted to SMMEs, while just over R45 million will be spent on local labour.

 

First ever rate adjustment for Rest and Service Facilities

Pretoria, 23 June 2021 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has revised its rest and service facilities rates for the first time since its inception in 1998. The new rates took effect from 28 January 2021.

SANRAL’s long-term strategy, Horizon 2030 is the blueprint for its development over the next ten years and among the key strategic interventions is the adoption of an Integrated Funding Model which entails the generation of own revenue.

Furthermore, the diversification of revenue sources and the development of sustainable revenue streams from the identified business areas are among the key strategic objectives. SANRAL’s Business Development Strategy identifies key pillars and key focus areas through which SANRAL can derive or significantly increase its revenue. One of these is that of rest and service facilities.

“The previous levy/rate structure had been in existence since 1998 when SANRAL was officially formed. The revised rates were developed with the intention of ensuring fairness to the market for all parties,” explained Thabiso Malahleha, SANRAL’s Head of Strategy.

There is also an approved Rest and Service Facilities Policy which outlines the planning and technical requirements for potential developers. The revised rate card considers factors such as traffic, Gross Lettable Area, and location of the facility with regards to rural or urban. The intention is to also let out opportunities for development on SANRAL owned land through an open and competitive tender process.

“Noting that there may be cases where access to the facility is not direct, in the strict definition it is accessed through a SANRAL interchange which needs to be maintained accordingly,” continued Malahleha.

SANRAL will at intervals review both the policy and rate card to ensure reasonable alignment with the market. Noting that there are existing facilities with direct access off the national road network that do not have an agreement in place. A process to engage these facility owners or operators will be followed.

Heavy rainfall causes water gushing down Ntentule Falls near the N2WCR project

Heavy rainfall, on Tuesday, 01 June and Wednesday, 2 June 2021, brought this magnificent view of water gushing down the Ntentule Falls on the Mateku River 20 km east of Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape. The waterfall, measured at 175-metre high, is located near SANRAL’s Msikaba bridge project.  In 2019, professional surveyors and engineers discovered that the Ntentule Falls was the second-highest waterfall in South Africa.

The Msikaba bridge is part of SANRAL’s N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) project. The key purpose of the N2WCR project is to serve as a catalyst for economic growth in the country. Once complete, the route will be approximately 69km and 85km shorter than the current N2 and R61 routes, respectively and, due to its shorter and flatter alignment, between 1 ½ hour to 3 hours faster, for light and heavy freight vehicles, respectively.  This new route will significantly reduce vehicle carbon emissions and result in a time-cost saving to motorists and freight operators of approximately R1.5 billion per annum.

The socio-economic impact of the N2WCR project is offering significant injection for the local communities. The minimum 30% expenditure earmarked for Targeted Enterprise sub-contractors and suppliers will result in over R4 billion flowing to SMMEs most of which will be from the OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo Districts.

Upgrading bridges and culverts on National Route R33, Section 14, between Vaalwater and Lephalale

Pretoria, 13 June 2021 – SANRAL recently awarded a project to address the Merriespruit steel-ribbed culvert on the R33 washed out due to inclement weather.  SANRAL is excited by the fact that this project will improve road safety on this section of the road.

At the same time that the new Merriespruit bridge is being constructed, SANRAL will also replace the rusted steel-ribbed culverts on the adjacent Brakspruit and Barberskuil streams with brand new reinforced concrete bridges.

SANRAL noted that when the three bridges are completed, the R33 will most likely be the preferred route between Vaalwater and Lephalale, as it is 25 km shorter than the alternative route.

The project’s high-level scope comprises establishing a small materials testing laboratory on site, including providing facilities for the engineer. An operational borrow pit will be established and three single-lane temporary deviations constructed at the site of each new bridge. There will be a manually operated Stop-Go through the day and traffic light-controlled signals at night. Additional work involves the constructing road and drainage works, three reinforced concrete bridges, the erection of guardrails, road signs, and applying road markings and road studs. Work will be done on protecting the slopes and establishing vegetation, and testing materials.

SANRAL’s Northern Region Manager, Mr Hlahla, indicated that this was a crucial link in the Limpopo province, and travellers on the road would benefit from improved travelling times and improved road safety. He further indicated that the project would benefit local SMMEs and positively impact the local economy. He noted that several work opportunities would be made available to local targeted enterprises in the Modimolle-Mookgophong and Lephalale Local Municipalities (MMLM & LLM). Local labour would also be sourced from the municipalities.

A Project Liaison Committee (PLC) consisting of stakeholders from MMLM and LLM has been established and was inducted in December 2020. After a slow start, the PLC is functioning well, and meetings are conducted frequently.

The awarded tender amount was R79 million. The consultant is a joint venture (JV) company between LEO Consulting (Pty) Ltd and Superstructures. The contractor is G4 Civils (Pty) Ltd. The Project Manager is Alan Agaienz, who can be contacted at 012 426 6200 or AgaienzA@nra.co.za

#End

Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL)

For editorial content or additional information please contact: pressoffice@nra.co.za

SANRAL convenes Taking SANRAL to the People event with Dr. JS Moroka Local Municipality community

Mpumalanga, 3 June 2021 – Upgrading the Moloto Road will drive economic prosperity, improve road safety , and the high-quality road construction will reduce  travel time, says the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited’s (SANRAL) stakeholder coordinator for Mpumalanga Province, Melba Geca.

She was speaking at a recent Taking SANRAL to the People event that SANRAL convened at the Kwa-Phahla Community Hall  in Siyabuswa, which falls under the Dr. JS Moroka Local Municipality in Mpumalanga Province. Municipal representatives, traditional leaders, local business forums, community members and local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) also attended.

Through the Taking SANRAL to the People programme, SANRAL interacts with different stakeholders and share information about its continuing role in infrastructure development, job creation and skills development initiatives on its road infrastructure projects.

“We are delighted that we are here today to have the opportunity  to work closely with the executive team of Dr. JS Moroka Local Municipality and  share information  about SANRAL’s project updates in  the Mpumalanga Province. It is our hope that after today we would have  equipped community members and the local business community with adequate information that will assist them in accessing and participating on SANRAL projects,” says Geca.

Touching on the R573 Moloto Road project, which is one of SANRAL’s flagship projects in the province, Geca said that SANRAL’s aim on the project is to ensure that it is transformed into a business corridor. “We want to ensure that local communities and small, medium, and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) benefit from the Moloto Road project, hence the undertaking to establish these nodes. This motivation is in tandem with our key mantra of “beyond roads” at SANRAL, meaning that roads are not an end in themselves, but are a catalyst to improve people’s lives. We also want to showcase the importance of building roads that are safer for the movement of goods and people,” she said.

“The Moloto Road project is a Strategic Infrastructure Project (SIP) and Section 2 and a portion of Section 3 (which is the Mpumalanga stretch of the road network), which traverses a distance of  54.9km, has   seven work packages which will provide job opportunities for the community. The first work package which was on Section 2 was completed in November 2018. We appointed a main contractor in February 2021 who will manage the second work package from km 24.7 to km 36.2. We also appointed a main contractor in February 2021 for section 3 between km 6.5 and km 13.3. Sub-contractors from the community will also be appointed and given an opportunity to work on the project,” said Lawrence Chauke, SANRAL’s project managers responsible for Moloto Road.

Chauke explained that the main upgrade that will be done on the project  will include expanding the road to have two lanes in each direction, building roundabouts in intersections order to regulate traffic flow, upgrading access roads and pedestrian facilities, and installing new street lights, to mention a few.

“The Moloto Road upgrade will also include community development projects currently in the planning phase, and these projects will be the construction of access roads. The proposed key areas for these community development projects will include Moloto, Kwa-Mhlanga, Tweefontein, Kwaggafontein A and B, Moteti, Oorlog, Waalkraal, Siyabuswa and Kgobokwane” said Chauke, highlighting additional work to be undertaken in Section 2 and 3.

SANRAL announced that they will host two follow up sessions with the  Dr. JS Moroka community, where they will share information on how the appointed main contractor on the Moloto Road project has unbundled sub-contracting opportunities for local SMMEs to participate in the tendering process.

//ENDS

Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL). For editorial content or additional information contact pressoffice@nra.co.za

SANRAL shares Moloto Road project information with Tweefontein SMMEs and Suppliers

Mpumalanga, 4 June 2021 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) recently shared information about upcoming subcontracting opportunities on the Moloto Road project to Tweefontein small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) that are based in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality.

Information sessions with local SMMEs form part of SANRAL’s continuous efforts to communicate with the affected communities that are within the project’s target area about the sub-contracting opportunities  and the requirements needed when bidding for tenders.

“The Moloto Road upgrade, along Section 2 of the R573  will have an immediate impact and benefit on  local SMMEs community. Local businesses will be given the opportunity to participate in the tender process for sub-contracting work, enabling them to provide income for themselves and families,” says Nontobeko Mathenjwa, SANRAL’s project manager responsible for the Mpumalanga Province section of Moloto Road.

The project’s total value is just over R430m, with a minimum of R129m (which is the 30% of the contract value) to be channelled towards SMME development. In addition, a further R34m (which is 8% of the contract value) will be used towards targeted labour. “We will also guide the main contractor on the project to allocate the R34m across various targeted labour groups such as women, the young and people with disabilities,” says Mathenjwa.

King Civil Engineering Contractors was appointed in the first quarter of the year as the main contractor; the project is expected to take 36 months to be completed and a total of 145 job opportunities are expected to be created.

As part of further efforts to assist local communities around this project,  SANRAL will also establish  a help desk to  support to  community members who wish to submit their documentation and business profiles for  tendering Tender training sessions will also be provided to local SMMEs to ensure that they are well equipped and have a clear understanding of what to expect at the tender brief.

This is not the first time that SANRAL convenes an information session of this nature with Tweefontein  and neighbouring areas. SANRAL recently engaged with Tweefontein and Kwaggafontein A and B in April 2021. The purpose of this engagement was to discuss the land acquisition process where a community resolution was reached with affected communities. This community resolution session was convened in partnership with the provincial and local government.

At those sessions, key learnings that were discussed include formation of joint ventures (JVs) with other local SMMEs, collating required documentation and filling it properly when tendering, and the importance of other legal requirements such as tax clearance certificates and BBBEE compliance.

Working together with local municipalities, SANRAL has also assisted in establishing Project Steering Committees that will ensure that SMMEs will be involved in its projects, from upgrades to the general maintenance of the road. One of the key responsibilities of the Project Steering Committee is to create a database of local community members and ensure that they are employed on SANRAL projects. The Steering Committee also guides SANRAL on the appointment of Community Liaison Officers (CLO).

A key outcome of this initiative has been the establishment of Project Liaison Committees (PLC). PLCs continue to ensure oversight in the subcontracting and labour recruitment process of SANRAL projects. “By enabling the PLC to have this oversight, it helps the community to take ownership of their local projects, ensure absorption of the local labour force and also ensure transparency,” says Melba Geca, SANRAL’s Stakeholder Coordinator responsible for Mpumalanga Province.

SANRAL encourages local communities to take advantage of opportunities that it offers on the Moloto project.

//ends

Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL)

For editorial content or additional information please contact: pressoffice@nra.co.za

Upgrade of N3 between Cato Ridge Interchange and Dardanelles Cutting enters next phase

Pietermaritzburg 14 June 2021 – Construction work for the upgrade of the N3 from the Cato Ridge Interchange to the northern end of the Dardanelles Cutting, which began in April 2021, is now entering a new phase, which will involve stop/go restrictions, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has announced.

The patching and re-surfacing of the existing R103, which is the road running alongside the N3, is planned to commence on 14 June 2021 and should be complete towards the end of July 2021. There will be stop/go restrictions, but to accommodate peak traffic, the construction work will be carried out between 9am and 4pm each day.

“Temporary concrete barriers will continue to be erected at night on the right-hand side of both carriageways of the N3 to enable the temporary widening of the southbound to commence. Piling for the foundation of a future bridge at Camperdown Interchange will commence on 21 June 2021,” said Mohamed Parak, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

During all construction activities on the N3, two-lane traffic flow in each direction will be maintained during the daytime, with minimal disruption to the traffic. During night-time, the fast lane will be closed over approximately 2km during the erection of the temporary barriers. This will result in minor delays to traffic.

The current emergency repair works on the N3, which are being carried out at night, are scheduled to be completed by 13 June 2021.

“We appeal to road users to take note of the construction activities and to be observant of the advance warning signs and speed restrictions, when travelling past the construction work zones. Road users are encouraged to plan their trips accordingly, and to make provision for the additional travel time,” said Parak.

-ENDS-

Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL)

For editorial content or additional information contact:  pressoffice@nra.co.za

EMERGENCY REPAIRS ON N14 SECTION 6, 7 AND 8 TO START SOONEST

Northern Cape, 14 June 2021 – Emergency road repairs to the temporary bypasses for the three incomplete intersections on the N14 between Olifantshoek and Kathu, as well as on the N14 Section 8, both due to flood damage are about to start as an emergency contractor has just been appointed.

“Due to the extent of the damage to the intersection bypasses and portions of the N14 carriageway between Kuruman and the Northern Cape/North West Border, caused by heavy rains and flooding, there was a need to urgently maintain safety of the portions of N14, and an emergency procurement procedure was implemented using a request for quotations (RFQ),” said Rudi Joubert, SANRAL Project Manager.

The three intersections on the N14 between Olifantshoek and Kathu remains incomplete due to the original contractor going into business rescue and SANRAL having to terminate the contract.  Attempts to award a new contract were also scuppered when the tender process had to be cancelled as there were no eligible or compliant tenders received.   Fortunately, the SANRAL Routine Road Maintenance team have been managing traffic accommodation, maintaining the bypasses and effecting pothole repairs, as an interim measure.

These intersection bypasses and portions of the N14 section 8 have been severely damaged by incessant flooding across the Northern Cape, and the more permanent repairs need to be affected as a matter of urgency.

“While SANRAL is committed to road maintenance and upgrades of infrastructure being done as quickly as possible, we do need to follow the legislative prescripts that govern procurement processes. We are however confident that the emergency contract for the interim repairs of the temporary bypasses and some portions of the N14 carriageway will ensure safety of the road environment, and  we remain focussed on fully completing the project as a matter of urgency,” explained SANRAL Western Region Manager, Randall Cable.

//end

SANRAL announces key sub-contracting opportunities in City of Mbombela

Mpumalanga, 20 June 2021 – Local businesses in the City of Mbombela local municipality will benefit from the 207,28km road and infrastructure upgrades the South African National Road Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is in undertaking in the area, the agency has announced. A total of just over R26 million will be allocated to sub-contracting.

SANRAL is busy with four main scopes of work and a total of 29 work packages over the next three years which will include: litter and minor works; minor maintenance; vegetation and bush clearing; as well as general maintenance. Each work package will be targeted to specific areas within the City of Mbombela.

As part of its commitment to drive transformation in the construction industry, SANRAL hosted two key information sessions in the City of Mbombela local municipality to share upcoming routine road maintenance (RRM) project and sub-contracting opportunities. The sessions were hosted in Nelspruit and in Barberton to ensure that all local businesses – from Barberton, Hazyview, White River and Nelspruit, which all fall under the municipality – had the opportunity to participate.

Melba Geca, SANRAL’s Stakeholder Coordinator for Mpumalanga Province said the information sessions aim to provide local businesses with the information they require to participate in the work packages. Interested businesses need to have either a CIDB grading 1 and 2.

“We use these sessions to strengthen our relationships with key stakeholders such as the municipality and local business owners so that we can also share projects not just in Mbombela but the greater province of Mpumalanga,” said Geca.

“There are four key routes that will affect these towns within the City of Mbombela local municipality. These are the R40 Sections 2, 4 and 5; R38 Section 5; R37 Section 4 as well as the N4 Sections 7EY and 7EX. This brings the total extent of work to a total of 207,28km and we would like to encourage you as business owners to submit your bid into the tendering process,” said Tshimangadzo Masindi, SANRAL’s Northern Region Project Manager responsible for these key projects within the municipality. Masindi explained the key requirements and documents that local business owners will need to submit if they want to be considered for sub-contracting opportunities within the City of Mbombela local municipality. Topics included certificates of the tender briefing, the business’s intention to submit a tender and fronting practices.

Business owners must submit proof that they have been registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD); a certificate showcasing that the business is tax compliant; its banking details and B-BBEE verification.

As a follow up to the information sessions, a compulsory clarification meeting will be arranged for business owners interested in participating in the tendering process. This meeting is used to inform and brief SMMEs on the various important aspects of the tendering process and indicate where there are shortfalls that are encountered throughout the tender process.

ADDENDUM – Work packages table

Work Package Number

 

Work packages

1 – 6

Work packages

7 & 8

Work packages

9 – 11

Work packages

12 & 13

Package description (typical scopes of work)

 

Litter and

Minor works

Minor Maintenance

 

Vegetation and

Bush Clearing

General Maintenance

 

Targeted SMMEs (CIDB Grading)

 

1 CE

 

2 CE

 

3 CE

 

4 CE

 

Targeted area in City of Mbombela Local Municipality

 

Barberton; Nelspruit; White River; Hazyview; Kiepersol, Marite; Bushbuckridge; Acornhoek

 

Mbombela; Bushbuckridge

 

Mbombela; Bushbuckridge

 

Mbombela; Bushbuckridge

 

 

Upgrading bridges and culverts on National Route R33, Section 14, between Vaalwater and Lephalale

SANRAL recently awarded a project to address the Merriespruit steel-ribbed culvert on the R33 washed out due to inclement weather. SANRAL is excited by the fact that this project will improve road safety on this section of the road.

At the same time that the new Merriespruit bridge is being constructed, SANRAL will also replace the rusted steel-ribbed culverts on the adjacent Brakspruit and Barberskuil streams with brand new reinforced concrete bridges.

SANRAL noted that when the three bridges are completed, the R33 will most likely be the preferred route between Vaalwater and Lephalale, as it is 25 km shorter than the alternative route.

The project’s high-level scope comprises establishing a small materials testing laboratory on site, including providing facilities for the engineer. An operational borrow pit will be established and three single-lane temporary deviations constructed at the site of each new bridge. There will be a manually operated Stop-Go through the day and traffic light-controlled signals at night. Additional work involves the constructing road and drainage works, three reinforced concrete bridges, the erection of guardrails, road signs, and applying road markings and road studs. Work will be done on protecting the slopes and establishing vegetation, and testing materials.

SANRAL’s Northern Region Manager, Mr Hlahla, indicated that this was a crucial link in the Limpopo province, and travellers on the road would benefit from improved travelling times and improved road safety. He further indicated that the project would benefit local SMMEs and positively impact the local economy. He noted that several work opportunities would be made available to local targeted enterprises in the Modimolle-Mookgophong and Lephalale Local Municipalities (MMLM & LLM). Local labour would also be sourced from the municipalities.

A Project Liaison Committee (PLC) consisting of stakeholders from MMLM and LLM has been established and was inducted in December 2020. After a slow start, the PLC is functioning well, and meetings are conducted frequently.

The awarded tender amount was R79 million. The consultant is a joint venture (JV) company between LEO Consulting (Pty) Ltd and Superstructures. The Project Manager is Alan Agaienz, who can be contacted at 012 426 6200 or AgaienzA@nra.co.za