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SANRAL wishes to update road users on road closures and conditions on the N14, Section 8, approximately 42km outside of Kuruman in the Northern Cape, towards Vryburg in the North West.

As a result of heavy rains, the roadway has flooded, and a culvert collapsed. At this stage, Stop/Go systems are being used to accommodate traffic in one lane, but the road condition is very bad and road users are advised to avoid this area as far as possible.

Engineers are on their way to inspect the scene and assess the damage, after which repairs will commence.

Road users travelling between Kimberley and Upington, are advised to avoid the N14, N8 and R31, and to rather take the N12 from Kimberley, linking up with the N10 just before Britstown and then travel via the N10 to Upington.

“The Road Incident Management System (RIMS) has been activated, and all emergency services, including SAPS and Provincial Traffic, have been mobilised to assist with road safety operations and re-routing motorists,” said Randall Cable, SANRAL Western Region Manager.

The weather continues to impact road conditions and further heavy rains are expected throughout the coming weekend.

“We appeal to road users to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings following these adverse weather conditions,” concluded Cable.

Upgrading the R63 from Fort Beaufort to Alice will lower the vehicle operating cost and increase the provincial economy’s integration, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) announced.

The three-year project will result in wider and safer roads that will bring much needed economic benefit to local communities and businesses, with skills development and job creation for an estimated 500 people.

“The project benefits to the province include the ease of travel between Fort Beaufort and the N2 at King Williams Town. The upgraded road will reduce the cost of the transportation of goods and services and facilitate greater economic activity.  Furthermore, the upgrade of this road means there will be improved access to the market for surrounding settlements, as well as economic opportunities in other parts of the province,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region Manager.

The new road will remain a single carriageway, albeit with a much wider, 13.4-metre-wide cross-section than the current 7m wide road. The road will also feature designated climbing lanes for trucks transporting goods to minimise congestion and traffic build-up as is currently experienced. The completed project will contribute to reduced cost and time savings.

The provincial government transferred the R63 route, in 2012, to be incorporated into the SANRAL road network.

On a technical level, the upgrade of the 23km road will improve and increase road capacity from Fort Beaufort to Alice. The substandard 7m surfaced road with gravel shoulders, sharp curves, and steep slopes are upgraded to a wider 13.4m cross-section, including paved shoulders, gentle curves, flatter geometry, and climbing lanes. The project also includes upgrading new community access roads and pedestrian walkways. The construction of temporary deviations will minimise the impact of the traffic flows during construction activities.

The Fort Beaufort main road, Campbell street, will be rehabilitated, which includes the relocation of the old and unreliable sewer system and water mains that runs in the middle of the street.

Since SMME participation is an essential component of all SANRAL projects, at least 60 SMMEs will be appointed over the construction period, with a target of approximately 20 women-owned businesses. All SMME contractors will receive training before their construction starts with ongoing mentoring throughout the project. Apart from training on how to tender, the successful sub-contractors will also receive training on installing culverts, construction of concrete side drains, kerb laying, construction of gabions, road signs erection, and pavement repair failures.

A material testing laboratory, managed by SGS Matrolab, has also been established to test the properties of construction materials used in upgrading the road.

Some of the major roadworks on this project include:

• the construction of mass earthworks and new pavement layers,
• Installation of pre-cast pipe and box culverts,
• the construction of concrete inlet/outlet structures,
• the erection of guardrails, road signs and fencing where required,
• the widening of two existing bridge structures, namely the Kat River and Brak River Bridges,
• construction of a new bridge over Mxelo river,
• the replacement of two road-over-rail bridges at Kwatinidubu Rail Bridge and Kwezana Rail Bridge,
• the installation of street lighting from the Kat River Bridge, just outside Fort Beaufort, through Campbell Street to the new Sports Centre Development,
• the relocation of the water main and sewer system in Campbell Street and
• the upgrading of the drainage system and parking facilities in Campbell street

“The construction of a wider road with minimal vertical and horizontal curves will lead to safer and smoother travel by the public,” Peterson said.

With R33.9 million set aside for Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) on the N8 between Rooisand and Vaal River, in the Pixley Ka Seme District Municipality and Siyancuma Local Municipality, there are significant opportunities for local Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to participate in this project over the next three years.

The contract was awarded to Razzmatazz Civil (PTY) Ltd in August 2020, and the contractor wasted no time in advertising work packages for subcontractors. Tenders for subcontracting closed in the first week in December 2020 and were awarded earlier this month, to seven subcontractors who already reported to site.

“To ensure maximum project participation from the local communities, at least 50% of the RRM works are structured into sustainable packages which are let on tender at regular cycles.  This ensures we spread the economic opportunities to give more eligible businesses opportunities to participate in SANRAL projects,” explained Gretchen Weber-Cherry, SANRAL Project Manager.

SANRAL held an information session in the municipal hall in Griekwastad in November 2020, to ensure that potential subcontractors had access to information about the project, could engage with SANRAL’s leadership and could also directly engage with the main contractor. Furthermore, the regional manager of the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), Ms Given Madiba, was also on hand (virtually) to guide emerging businesses through the process of registration and improving their grading.

Milton van Heerden from Delta Infrastructure Solutions,  the Consultants’ Route Manager on the N8, assured the community that this project would ensure not only maximum participation opportunities, by splitting the work into 12 month packages, but would also afford participants significant training, development and mentoring, that would equip them with skills and knowledge for other economic opportunities down the line.

Subcontractors would also have their own space at the site office, to further facilitate mentoring and supervision under the main contractor and the consultant.

Strict COVID-19 protocols were adhered to at the venue, including a simple cell phone registration process that eliminated the need to queue at the registration desk, and also limited opportunities of touching shared surfaces. Temperature screening was done for all attendees, with masks as hand sanitiser also given to every person.

While the community was excited about the economic opportunities for small businesses, as well as the jobs that this project would create, they were equally vocal in their questions and suggestions for additional support. These included requests for tender documents to be simplified, opportunities to be exclusively for Griekwastad residents, information about bursaries for their children and raising the threshold for entry level projects, to ensure start-ups could be more financially sustainable, as well as long-term corporate social investment initiatives for their town.

“We value the robust input from the community. They are our stakeholders and we want to ensure that SANRAL projects not only provide improved road infrastructure, but that we leave a legacy of transformation, economic empowerment and a community of people who are able to mobilise themselves to access further opportunities that may come their way in future. We are working on addressing their concerns and through the Project Liaison Committee (PLC), we will keep them informed of progress,” concluded Weber-Cherry.

The Elandsvalley section of the N4 Toll Route will be closed for an undetermined period following significant infrastructure damage between Elandshoek and Ngodwana (N4/7X km11.6).

According to engineers on site the infamous Cyclone Eloise, which severely affected Mpumalanga’s Lowveld region this weekend, caused damage to the N4 that required the Elandskloof section of the road to be closed to traffic on Sunday night. Further investigations found that approximately 160mm of rain fell in the Ngodwana area between Saturday, January 23 and Monday, January 25 which resulted in a flash flood that uprooted stumps and trees causing damage to the road’s infrastructure.

TRAC CEO, Alex van Niekerk, who was on site today to assess the matter, noted that the damage caused to the road is not due to poor workmanship or negligence but rather due to an act of nature. “After the heavy rainfall on Sunday, a stream crossing underneath the N4 through a culvert flooded over the road. This resulted in road fill material underneath the road surface to be washed away, which caused the road surface to subside. We are relieved that the culvert itself was not damaged as this would have resulted in a longer repair period.”

Road users travelling between the Lowveld and the Highveld and Gauteng regions must use the N4 Toll Route’s alternative route – Schoemanskloof – while TRAC carries out major repair work in the affected area.

We apologise for the inconvenience and commit ourselves to repair the damages as soon as possible with repair operations already underway. We want to thank members of the public for their understanding, patience and support during this time.

For information about other parts of the route, road users are urged to contact the TRAC 24-hour Helpdesk on 0800 87 22 64 or visit our website www.tracn4.co.za or follow us on Twitter @TRACN4route or Facebook @TRACN4.

Donating a wheelchair, two beds, repairs to her house, groceries and furniture is a life changing experience for 95-year-old grandma Qamngqa Ntshongweni from Lusikisiki who used to crawl 75 metres to get to her toilet.

The generous donations made by SANRAL’s main contractor Concor- Mota-Engil Joint Venture who is working on the N2WCR Msikaba project, the project engineer’s  SMEC, who facilitated the process, and some local SMMEs also involved with the Msikaba bridge contract, Nase Construction, Restsam Engineering and Gandundu are ensuring a better life for grandma Ntshongweni.

Her plight was identified and highlighted on social media by non-profit organization (NPO) Umanyano Lwabaphulaphuli Initiative.

“She crawls 75 meters to her toilet, her house has major cracks in it and the roof leaks, she also used to sleep on the floor,” said Modi Maqabaza Chief Coordinator for Umanyano Lwabaphulaphuli Initiative non-profit organization.

After being approached by the NPO, Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane then approached SANRAL to assist with donations.

“It is really important to give back to those who are in need. The contributions made by the contractor and local SMMEs have far exceeded my expectations. We are grateful to them for the donations. Their generosity and selflessness are making her life easier,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region’s Regional Manager.

While some donations have already been given to Ntshongweni others will be handed over next year, like a pathway to her toilet suitable for her wheelchair.

Meanwhile she has moved to an adjacent house where she can stay in comfort over the festive season. CMEJV, the main contractor will upgrade her rondavel next year. CMEJV also secured the wheelchair, two beds, groceries and furniture, which include all other household appliances.

“The wheelchair was donated by QuadPara Association South Africa Pinetown Durban. We donated two beds, one for her and the other for her daughter,” said Kim Malherbe secretary at CMEJV.

Other donations include: Nase construction is replacing the damaged doors of the house as well as the windows; Restsam Engineering has offered to assist with electrical work in the house; Gandundu will provide curtains and a 200 litre water storage container. Groceries and furniture including a fridge, a table and chairs are also being donated.

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.