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Congestion on Nelson Mandela Boulevard at Thembalethu Bridge to ease soon

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Congestion on Nelson Mandela Boulevard at Thembalethu Bridge to ease soon

Western Cape, 12 September 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced that construction works, that have been in progress at the Thembalethu interchange on the N2 at Nelson Mandela Boulevard since May 2022, is nearly complete.

“While construction work is virtually finished, temporary restrictions are still in place on Nelson Mandela Boulevard between the intersections with Tabata and Ngcakani Streets to the south and Vuyani Ncamazana and Main Streets to the north. This is while the installation of the bridge expansion joints is being finalised,” said Petronella Theron, SANRAL Project Manager.

It is anticipated that the temporary restrictions will be removed by Friday 13 September, and double carriageway traffic, both in and out of Thembalethu, should then be possible.

“Once the restrictions have been removed there may still be lane or shoulder restrictions until the end of October. These will be kept to off-peak hours as we are mindful of the impact on mobility,” said Theron.

Furthermore, new streetlights have been installed along the length of Nelson Mandela Boulevard which should aid visibility on this stretch of road.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused. This is however a short-term inconvenience in pursuit of long-term road safety and mobility improvements.

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SANRAL’s stakeholder engagement highlights infrastructure development and economic empowerment for military veterans and people with disabilities

MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL’s stakeholder engagement highlights infrastructure development and

economic empowerment for military veterans and people with disabilities

 

Caption: Military veterans and people living with disabilities at the Feather Market Hall in Gqeberha

Gqeberha, 12 September 2024 – Military veterans and people with disabilities were told, at a meeting in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), how they can benefit from South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) projects in the area.

SANRAL hosted an impactful engagement session, called “Taking SANRAL to the People”, at the Feather Market Hall on Monday (9 September 2024). The meeting discussed the road agency’s ongoing projects, job creation and its role in fostering economic growth through infrastructure development.

NMBM Council Speaker, Eugene Johnson, expressed appreciation for SANRAL’s efforts, emphasising the agency’s commitment to uplifting marginalised communities.

“For me, this unique stakeholder engagement is about re-establishing and confirming the belief that every person has the potential and capacity to add value

to the development and wellbeing of our communities. It is commendable that SANRAL has brought together women and men of our marginalised communities to address the full participation in projects in terms of empowerment and creating opportunities for entrepreneurship,” Johnson said.

“People with disabilities stand to benefit,” Johnson added, noting SANRAL’s pivotal role in advancing South Africa’s socio-economic transformation.

Acknowledging the persistent challenge of skills shortages in the region, Johnson urged that it is imperative for marginalised groups to seize the opportunity to contribute to the skills revolution. “Only a skills revolution will take us to the required level of economic growth,” she emphasised.

The session also highlighted SANRAL’s ambitious budget allocations for the Eastern Cape. Project Manager Danfred Adams shared that R8.1 billion had been invested in road infrastructure in 2023/24, with R10.3 billion set aside for 2024/25 and R12.5 billion for 2025/26. These funds will go toward routine road maintenance, road strengthening, special maintenance and infrastructure improvements not only in the Nelson Mandela Bay metropolitan area but in the rest of the Eastern Cape.

Among the key projects discussed were the reseal of the N2 from St Albans to Linton Grange and road improvement on the R335 from Addo to Motherwell.

Adams has also acknowledged the challenges such as theft, vandalism and extortion which have caused significant setbacks to the project R335 from Addo to Motherwell.

“We are working closely with communities, law enforcement and local structures to manage these challenges. SANRAL is committed to ensuring that projects benefit the people of Nelson Mandela Bay,” he said.

Andile Duka, SANRAL’s Stakeholder Relations Coordinator in the region, concluded by affirming SANRAL’s commitment to fostering inclusivity in its projects. SANRAL is deliberate in ensuring the participation of various sectors, with the 14-Point Plan providing guidance for better project liaison with local communities. This policy ensures that previously disadvantaged individuals take part in SANRAL projects, emphasising principles of subcontracting and labour sourcing.

Through these initiatives, SANRAL continues to play a pivotal role in South Africa’s transformation, focusing on both infrastructure development and the empowerment of marginalised communities.

Thandile Makwabe, SANRAL’s Transformation Officer in the region, mentioned that transformation was at the centre of any construction project as it was one of the pillars underpinning the agency’s Horizon 2030 strategy. He called on the SMMEs to strive to move up from Grade 1 and 2 to create a safe space.

“We had assigned mentorship and training of SMMEs to main contractors and, in some cases, this was not happening hence the Board has now instructed that the function be removed from the contractor and placed under SANRAL directly. SANRAL also offers a SETA accredited pre-tender training for free that talks to

resource management and finance management to build up rates before tendering,” said Makwabe.

Military Veteran Kunase Dlala elaborated on the security situation that has gripped the metro, calling for cooperation to tackle criminal activities.

“This is a great development by SANRAL but at the centre of it we are terrified. We need to establish a partnership with SANRAL and the Metro to deal with crime prevention using our capabilities. Law enforcement agencies must work with us at grassroot level to defend our communities.”

“I’m happy to be part of this engagement to learn about SANRAL. As a businesswoman, I now know there is training offered to anyone, even those without business and to people with disabilities. Going forward we’ll be able to use all available avenues to develop and grow our businesses. The information was helpful,” said Zoleka Ncwadi, business owner of Lakhe’s Construction, who is living with disability.

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Blasting on the N2 between KwaBhaca and eMaXesibeni, Eastern Cape

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Blasting on the N2 between KwaBhaca and eMaXesibeni, Eastern Cape

Gqeberha, 11 September 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to notify road users of scheduled blasting that will take place on the N2 between KwaBhaca, formerly known as Mount Frere, and eMaXesibeni, formerly Mount Ayliff, at approximately 15h00 on Wednesday, 11 September 2024.

The blast will take place approximately 15.6 kilometers from KwaBhaca toward eMaXesibeni. During this time, the road will be closed for up to 30 minutes.

Motorists traveling from Kokstad to Mthatha, should consider taking one of these alternate routes:

  • Exit the N2 at Matatiele and take Tlokoeng (formerly Mount Fletcher) route, or
  • Go via Flagstaff and Lusikisiki to Port St Johns on the R61, then rejoin the N2 in Mthatha.

The alternative routes are about 69 kilometers longer and may add around 50 minutes to your trip.

Motorists traveling from Mthatha to Kokstad can use the same alternate routes.

“We urge motorists to plan their trips accordingly, consider alternative routes and take caution while using the roads,” advised Mabuyi Mhlanga, Acting Regional Manager for SANRAL’s Southern Region.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

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SANRAL calls for multi-stakeholder collaboration to restore R75 route in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro

MEDIA STATEMENT

SANRAL calls for multi-stakeholder collaboration to restore R75 route in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro

Gqeberha,11 September 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has called for greater collaboration from the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) and other stakeholders to restore the R75 road to acceptable safety standards.

“SANRAL has experienced challenges since the appointment of the routine road maintenance (RRM) contractor for national roads within the metro, who has had only intermittent site access and has been unable to perform the maintenance required to improve road safety along portions of the network, including the R75. The contractor was prevented from carrying out its duties by the actions of individuals and groups claiming to be from adjacent municipal wards who demanded to participate in the RRM project,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s Regional Manager for the Southern Region.

He further stressed that “as a result, conditions were unsafe for the contractor to carry out the necessary work on the R75 until consensus is reached. Furthermore, the RRM project has experienced incidences of vandalism and theft of the infrastructure, specifically along the R75, for which the replacement rate has become unsustainable.”

SANRAL has over time held several engagements with municipal stakeholders as well as the Project Liaison Committee (PLC) to find a resolution to the challenges.

“The Office of the Executive Mayor was also approached to intervene, including during Mr Retief Odendaal’s tenure as the Metro’s Executive Mayor. He was unable to help to resolve the issues. While we acknowledge the concerns raised by Odendaal, we dispute that SANRAL had failed to make any attempts to resolve the challenges around the R75,” said Peterson.

“SANRAL’s mandate is to build, manage and maintain the national network so it therefore is unreasonable to expect the roads agency to single-handedly resolve the challenges around the R75 – including theft and vandalism of the road infrastructure, project disruptions and delays, as well as instances of extortion all of which have negatively impacted the RRM project within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.”

“SANRAL is engaging with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, law enforcement through the local and provincial South African Police Service (SAPS), the business community through engagement with the NMB Business Chamber, and the local

community to address the challenges and to work towards a resolution,” added Peterson.

SANRAL is urging stakeholders to collectively address these challenges, not only in the short term but also into the future.

Protracted delays in the appointment of SMMEs due to differing procurement policies – SANRAL’s open tender approach versus the municipality’s ward selection-based approach – have now been resolved and the first round of SMMEs have been appointed and begun work on the RRM contract.

The second round of subcontracts will be advertised in September with the intention to appoint more SMMEs by November 2024.

The Freeway Management System (FMS) is under construction, which will soon be implemented in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality to also assist with the monitoring of vandalism on the R75 and N2 routes, as well as to improve the safety measures on SANRAL’s network. The FMS, Zone 1 and 2, is anticipated to be completed by June 2025.

“As custodians of the traffic signals, the municipality is in the process of piloting a hardened traffic signal solution at a selected intersection along the R75. In partnership with NMBM, we are hoping this pilot is successful and depending on available financial provisions, could be extended once the Interim Traffic Monitoring Centre (ITMC) is operational and specific protocols are put in place,” said Peterson.

“It is the plan that the ITMC will be operational from June 2025. In discussion with the NMBM, we are considering monitoring some of the identified traffic signals from the ITMC which will include 24/7 CCTV surveillance, infra-red and thermal technology, tamper and proximity alarms and the ability to work with law enforcement and private security to respond to suspicious activities.”

On the matter of the recent unfortunate crashes along the R75, the conflict points have generally been the intersections and where general poor road user behaviour is a primary contributor. The general moving infringements and traffic violations must be addressed and prioritised.

“As government works to find a more permanent solution to the theft of its traffic lights, SANRAL will work with the traffic law enforcement to see how we can assist and support,” said Peterson.

Furthermore, through its engagements with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, SANRAL will pursue public private partnerships where the business community can partner on some of these initiatives i.e. ‘Adopt a Traffic Signal’ or by provision of private security services. It is also SANRAL’s plan to involve the community through further consultation and community-based projects.

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Lane closure on N7 at Malmesbury R45 Overpass

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Lane closure on N7 at Malmesbury R45 Overpass

Western Cape, 10 September 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced lane closures from 11 to 26 September on the N7 at the Malmesbury R45 Overpass (Checkers Mall Link Road), which is currently being rehabilitated.

“To minimise the disruption to road users, one lane will always remain open, allowing for two-way traffic,” said Bongani Masombuka, SANRAL Project Manager.

The works will include special repairs and coatings to the entire structure, to repair all cracks and spalling. This involves spalling repairs on the columns, crack injection, and cement fibre coating.

“We urge road users to exercise caution, reduce speed, adhere to warning signs within the construction area, and always be on the lookout for road construction workers,” said Masombuka.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused by these necessary upgrades. These short-term disruptions are, however, vital for long-term road safety enhancements that will benefit all road users.

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R6 billion worth of work in the market for Western Cape and Northern Cape

MEDIA RELEASE

R6 billion worth of work in the market for Western Cape and Northern Cape

 

Western Cape, 9 September 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has awarded 36 tenders worth R4.2 billion in the Western Region (Western Cape and Northern Cape) since the start of the 2024/25 financial year, with 12 tenders worth approximately R2 billion currently being evaluated.

Randall Cable, the Regional Manager for the Western Region, said this aggressive drive to put out work into the market speaks to SANRAL’s commitment to economic recovery.

“The SANRAL footprint is growing and a continuous pipeline of projects both to maintain and develop our national road network is key to stimulate economy growth and the creation of job opportunities,” said Cable.

He reiterated that SANRAL has made tremendous progress on its periodic maintenance programmes in the Western and Northern Cape, with several resurfacing projects recently completed or in the final stages of completion.

  • N2 Cape Town upgrade – A portion of the N2 between Swartklip Interchange and Baden Powell Interchange, approximately 12km in length, adjacent to Khayelitsha and Mfuleni in the City of Cape Town, is currently under design. The project entails the upgrading from a four (4) lane to six (6) /eight (8) lane divided highway, four (4) major interchange upgrades and pedestrian safety infrastructure.

A 6km portion of the N2 needs to be raised due to increased water levels. The project will make a significant contribution to road safety by formalising pedestrian and public transport facilities within the N2 road reserve, including the replacement of the old street lighting. Channelising pedestrians to safe crossing points is key to the safety improvements.  The detailed design is being finalised. The project cost estimate is approximately R2 billion, and the construction tender is to be advertised in November 2024.

  • N2 Garden Route – The R160 million dualling of the Thembalethu Bridge over the N2 in George was recently completed, providing safer access to communities. This was a jointly funded project with the George Municipality.  Major upgrades and improvements of the N2 from Kraaibosch to Touw River in the Wilderness, are currently under construction with more works planned in Phase 2 between the Touw River and Die Vleie.  The combined estimated value of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the N2 Wilderness upgrades is more than R1,5 billion.

 

  • N1, Old Oak to Koelenhof – The detailed design has been completed for the N1 improvements for approximately 13 km, between Old Oak and Koelenhof interchanges, with an estimated cost of more than R3 billion. The project entails upgrading from four (4) lanes to a six (6)/eight (8) lane divided highway, five (5) major interchange upgrades and pedestrian safety infrastructure, including street lighting over the entire length. SANRAL is in final preparations to go to market for this project.

 

  • N7 upgrade – Work on the upgrades to the N7 in the Western Region is ongoing and has already seen more than R3.5 billion invested into the economy, with more than 40km of dual carriageway freeway and eight interchanges constructed, the last of which was completed in 2020. Nearly R1 billion was spent on targeted enterprises over the last 10 years. The current R600 million upgrades between Malmesbury and Moorreesburg is due for completion in early 2025.  There are other periodic contracts on the go and more recently awarded.

 

  • Huguenot Tunnel – The tunnel has been operating for more than 36 years, allowing more than 112 million vehicles to pass through safely. In keeping with international safety standards as well as meeting the mobility demands of the significantly increased traffic volumes that come with urban development, SANRAL is upgrading the tunnel. Extensive improvements have been made to the existing tunnel (South Bore) in the last 24 months, which include upgrades to the tunnel lighting, ventilation and fire detection systems. The upgrade of the second tunnel (North Bore) is overdue and the final detailed design has recently been completed. SANRAL is preparing to go to market shortly on this five-year construction contract. The project will cost approximately R4 billion to complete.

 

  • N9 Colesberg to Northern Cape/Eastern Cape border – The resurfacing of the N9 was recently completed to the tune of R200 million, of which approximately R60 million was spent on targeted enterprises. Further resurfacing along the N9 is still under construction.

SANRAL had also completed a Community Development (CD) project in the town of Noupoort. This CD project augmented the economic opportunities for locals, by creating work for at least 100 individuals. It was designed to maximise labour-intensive construction methods, which includes the construction of block streets and the use of pre-cast kerbing. Furthermore, 13 work packages were created for subcontracting and all the subcontractors were drawn from Noupoort. The work was completed at a cost of R16 million, with R4.8 million spent on labour.

  • N8 Kimberley to Campbell – The 100km resurfacing of the N8 between Kimberley and Campbell was recently completed at a cost of R160 million. Of that, approximately R66 million was spent on subcontractors. SANRAL is currently undertaking work from Campbell to Groblershoop, which is in various stages of design and construction.

“SANRAL remains committed to using its procurement power not only to improve the road infrastructure across the Western and Northern Cape but also to ensure genuine transformation where smaller black-owned businesses will have the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the economy,” said Cable.

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Blasting between Ashburton and Market Road will result in N3 Closure.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Blasting between Ashburton and Market Road will result in N3 Closure.

Pietermaritzburg, 10 September 2024 – Part of the N3 will be completely closed on 17 September and 19 September 2024. This is to facilitate blasting next to the N3 near Bellevue, as part of the N3 Ashburton to Market Road upgrade project, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The N3 closure will take place between the Ashburton and Market Road Interchanges. Closures will also be necessary on Pope Ellis Drive from R103 intersection to Ashburton Interchange in the vicinity of the blasting activities,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

“Traffic accommodation team with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) will monitor the diversion of traffic during the closure.

The full road closure will take place as follows:

17 September 2024 (Tuesday):
14h30: Close N3 and secondary road and blast.
14h30 to 14h55: Clean up any debris on all roads.
14h55 to 15h00: Final Road Safety Inspection
15h00: Re-open N3 secondary road for all vehicles.

19 September 2024 (Thursday):
14h30: Close N3 and secondary road and blast.
14h30 to 14h55: Clean up any debris on all roads.
14h55 to 15h00: Final Road Safety Inspection
15h00: Re-open N3 secondary road for all vehicles.

The R103 route will be available as an alternative route during the blast. Substantial delays are, however, likely as the R103 is unable to handle the same volume of traffic as the N3.

The closure may need to be adjusted depending on weather conditions on the day. If that happens, a second notice with information of the new time will be issued.

“We ask motorists to be patient during the closure and to plan and adjust their trips, especially their departure times, to accommodate the closure while still adhering to speed limits. SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused and thanks them for their patience during the ongoing road construction,” said Lowe.

 

ALTERNATIVE ROUTES:

FIGURE 1: ALTERNATIVE ROUTE FOR BLASTING.

NOTE: ASHBURTON/ POPE ELLIS WILL BE CLOSED FOR BLASTING TRAFFIC WILL BE DIRECTED VIA THE R103 ROUTE. THE TRAFFIC WILL BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THE MARKET ROAD OFFRAMP TO THE N3 MAINLINE AS SHOWN IN FIGURE 1 ABOVE IN RED.

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SANRAL awards R1.4 billion worth of contracts since 1 April in the Eastern Cape

Media Release

SANRAL awards R1.4 billion worth of contracts since 1 April in the Eastern Cape

Caption: Construction of the road linking the two mega bridges of Msikaba and Mtentu is advancing well

 Eastern Cape, 9 September 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced that it has awarded tenders to the value of R1.4 billion in its Southern Region (Eastern Cape) since the start of the 2024/25 financial year, with R3.8 billion more in contracts expected to be awarded by the end of the year.

The awarded tenders include the contract for the construction of the R61 section between Luqoqweni and Bambisana to the value of R174 million, the upgrading of the N2 section from Bloukrans to Storms River to the value of R93 million and the contract for the slope stabilisation along the R61 section near Cofimvaba to the value of R44 million, all awarded in mid-August 2024.

Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s Southern Region Manager said, “Our accelerated road infrastructure build programme is on track to bring the state of the province’s road network to a pristine and safe driving standard while improving accessibility in rural and remote areas of the Eastern Cape. Since the beginning of this financial year, we have awarded 12 road infrastructure contracts amounting to a total investment of R1.4 billion.”

“Furthermore, 24 tenders are in evaluation stage, and we anticipate these to be awarded in the last quarter of the year,” said Peterson.

Contracts currently in the evaluation phase for design and for construction are valued at R3.8 billion. These include the upgrading of the R61 sections from All Saints to Bhaziya and between Qumanco and Ngcobo, the upgrading of the Pikoli to Glenmore access road from the N2 intersection, and the upgrading of the R62 from Louterwater to Kareedouw. These are anticipated to be awarded by end of the 2024 calendar year.

The Southern Region will be advertising 14 tenders with an estimated value of R1.2 billion over the next few weeks. These include the contract for the upgrading of the R62 section from Joubertina to Louterwater, the upgrading of the N2 section from Mbokotwana River to Qumbu, and the widening of the N2 from Viedgesville to Mthatha to a double carriageway to ease traffic congestion in the Mthatha CBD.

“The bulk of the investment will be in the Eastern part of the province, which is the most populous area of the Eastern Cape and where the road infrastructure is lacking. Our focus will largely be around Mthatha as a key economic hub of the province with a total investment of around R5 billion to improve mobility in and out of the city along the N2 from Viedgesvile to the city centre and later in 2025 on the R61 from the Mthatha Airport to Madeira Street,” said Peterson.

Seventeen (17) routine road maintenance contracts, with an estimated value of R1.2 billion, will be taken to market over the next few months as the current contracts reach their conclusion.

Peterson reported that SANRAL’s major projects in the province are progressing well with the R1.2 billion upgrade of the N2 section between KwaBhaca and Ngcweleni River near EmaXesibeni, the R1.2 billion upgrade of the R56 from Matatiele to the KwaZulu-Natal boundary and the R1.3 billion upgrade of the R63 from Bhisho to the N6 intersection having created over 500 job opportunities to date.

“Our flagship N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) project is picking up speed with three major contracts underway, including the Msikaba Bridge, the Mtentu Bridge, and the construction of the road linking the bridges (Package 5). Earlier in August we announced the imminent construction of the R2.2 billion road from Lingeni village to Msikaba Bridge anticipated for early 2025,” added Peterson.

To date, the Msikaba Bridge contract has created opportunities for 44 local suppliers, 48 service providers and 61 subcontractors to the value of R665.6 million. Over R115 million in wages has been paid.

While on the Mtentu Bridge project, R250 million has been spent to date with 248 local labourers employed. To date, 445 job opportunities have been created and 41

targeted enterprises have been appointed on Package 5 between the Msikaba and Mtentu bridges of the N2WCR project.

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SANRAL rolls out major investment for Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West

MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL rolls out major investment for Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West

Pretoria, 9 September 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced major investments in critical road infrastructure for its Northern Region. This follows the recent announcement of a R50 billion investment by SANRAL CEO Reginal Demana on Monday.

Demana declared that the roads agency plans to invest R50 billion into the South African economy through new tenders. R15 billion worth of contracts have been awarded since the first of April which marks the beginning of the current financial year.

“I am happy to announce that we are currently evaluating 96 tenders worth R35 billion, while 86 contracts worth R15 billion have already been awarded since the start of the 2024/25 financial year on 1 April 2024” he said.

Demana said the tenders currently under evaluation are spread across the country, but the majority falls under the Northern Region which comprises of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West. SANRAL’s Northern Region manages approximately 9 500km of the national road network, making it the agency’s largest region.

According to Progress Hlahla, SANRAL Northern Regional Manager, 34 tenders worth R16.5 billion are earmarked for the region and will have a major impact on the economy.

“These are exciting times for the industry, this investment means more opportunities for local businesses and jobs for our people. In line with the CEOs announcement, we have ensured that we fast-track the rollout of work packages for critical projects in the region,” said Hlahla.

Hlahla says the agency has recently awarded a R893 million contract for construction of an 11,7km stretch of the R573 project in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, as part of the multi-billion-rand development of the Moloto Road Corridor. Work on the rehabilitation of the old N1 in the Musina CBD has started as well. This is an investment of R227million for improvement of 5.8km stretch of road. A total 8% of the contract value will be spent on targeted labour from the Musina area, while 30% would be spent on targeted enterprises which have at least 51% black ownership.

In May 2024, the roads agency introduced four community development projects worth R787 million in Limpopo. The following project were introduced to traditional leadership, road forums, taxi and bus associations, and communities in the affected areas:

  • The R144-million D2919 road, which spans from Tshikanoshi to Malebitsa, Sekhukhune District Municipality.
  • The R132-million D3878 road, which connects Calais to Ga-Sekororo, Mopani District Municipality.
  • The R251-million D3187 road, which stretches from Mageva to Makhuva in the Mopani District Municipality.
  • The R260-million D3810 road, which stretches from Thomo to Hlomela in the Mopani District Municipality.

The first packages on the project are currently underway with some local companies subcontracted for ancillary works.

Hlahla says these projects will have a significant impact on the socio-economic landscape of the country. He said more projects are still in the pipeline for the 2024/2025 financial year and these will go a long way to boost the local economy.

Projects in the northern region

Some of the major projects in this region include the N4 in Pretoria CBD, N1 Musina Ring Road, R37 in Burgersfort, the R573 Moloto Road Development Corridor which spans across three provinces (Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo), R510 towards Thabazimbi, R504 in Wolmaransstad, and the N2 from Ermelo to the KwaZulu-Natal border.

Northwest

SANRAL has also started with a R1.3 billion construction project on the R52 between Koster and Rustenburg in the North West province. Additionally, the resurfacing of the R512 between from R104 intersection to Brits is progressing well. The R504 Between Wolmaransstad and Leeudoringstad has been completed and the portion from Leeudoringstad to the Free state border is currently under construction. This investment is over R400 million and has created over 500 job opportunities for local labour. Furthermore, work on the N12 in Wolmaransstad and in Bloemhof has commenced with approximately R500 earmarked for the resurfacing of the N12 in these towns.

Limpopo

Major works are planned on the R516 with over a billion rand earmarked for the upgrade of this critical road. Additionally, the R101 in Bela Bela is set for a major upgrade as well to ensure motorist travel safely in this area. The work on the R510 between the Northwest/Limpopo border and Thabazimbi is progressing well, with over R1 billion having been earmarked for this project. This has added many jobs and subcontracting opportunities to the local economy.

Mpumalanga

SANRAL has completed most of the resurfacing work on the N17 between Chrissiesmeer and the Oshoek border post, has been completed having spend over R500 million and creating approximately 240 jobs. The N2 between Ermelo and the KZN border is due for a major upgrade, with five packages having already been advertised and currently under evaluation. The Panbult interchange is currently under construction and the N2 between Bloemendal and Piet Retief has recently been awarded to the value of approximately R3.8 billion. All the other phases are earmarked for award later this financial year.

Gauteng

The repair of the N1 pavement layers in the south of Johannesburg towards the Vanderbijlpark is almost complete, with over R400 million having been spend and approximately 300 jobs created. Additionally, rehabilitation of the R21 between Pomona and Olifantsfontein is progressing well, with the repair of both sinkholes on the R21 and N1 being at an advanced stage. SANRAL will be going to market soon for the resurfacing of the GFIP network in Gauteng. This will be done in stages to minimise traffic disruption.

Three priority projects have been successfully completed which include the N1 Musina Ring Road costing R700 million, and the R37 in Burgersfort, which was completed at a cost of R1 billion.

Additionally, 7km of the Moloto Road project in Limpopo has been completed, with construction continuing in both the Mpumalanga sections. Construction will extend to include the entire corridor, covering the Gauteng section as well.

The N1 Musina Ring Road project created 281 jobs for locals, and 132 individuals received training at a cost of R411,462. Additionally, 20 local subcontractors were employed.

The R37 project in Limpopo, completed at a cost of one billion Rand, created 423 jobs and trained 149 individuals. A total of R80 million was allocated to community development initiatives.

Further improvements have been undertaken on the R510 towards Thabazimbi, R504 in Wolmaransstad, and the entire N2 from Ermelo to the KwaZulu-Natal border. These projects aim to enhance the efficient flow of freight, ultimately boosting productivity in the affected towns.

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Temporary Road Closures, with Stop/Go, on the R555, Steynsdrift to Steelpoort River, Limpopo Province

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Temporary Road Closures, with Stop/Go, on the R555, Steynsdrift to Steelpoort River, Limpopo Province

Limpopo, 9 September 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to inform road users of the temporary road closures, with a Stop/Go system operating on the R555 national road, Section 3, from Steynsdrift (km 44.0) to the Steelpoort River (km 63.0).

The road section is situated near the DeHoop Dam. These closures are necessary to facilitate the road improvement works and are in place both day and night.

Closure Details:

  • Dates: From September 2024 until the end of April 2025.
  • Times: Day and night operations will be in place.
  • Duration: Stop/Go traffic management will be in operation, leading to potential delays of up to 30 minutes during peak hours.
  • Closure Lengths: The closure lengths may vary but should not exceed 4km unless required for safety reasons.

The national road agency advises motorists to plan their trips accordingly and appreciate their patience and cooperation during these essential road upgrades. SANRAL remains committed to improving the safety and quality of national roads.

“The road improvement works on the R555 national road are a critical part of our ongoing commitment to enhancing the infrastructure in the Limpopo region,” said Progress Hlahla, SANRAL Northern Regional Manager.

“While we understand that the temporary closures and Stop/Go systems may cause some inconvenience, these measures are necessary to ensure the safety of both our construction teams and road users. We are working diligently to minimise disruptions and complete the upgrades within the scheduled timeframe.”

Motorists are requested to adhere to the traffic accommodation signage and the flag persons advanced warnings when applicable. SANRAL apologises for the inconvenience.

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