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President Cyril Ramaphosa identified infrastructure development as the flywheel that will kickstart South Africa’s economy post-COVID-19, and SANRAL is committed to expanding the net of economic inclusion for emerging black businesses to participate in its projects.

Routine road maintenance (RRM) projects create jobs across the country and enable  SMMEs to access economic development opportunities which benefit not only small businesses and local labour, but regions at large.

RRM and other improvements are essential activities to keep our road systems in top shape. In 2019/20, SANRAL extended RRM contracts worth more than R2.5bn. RRM entails, among others, cleaning drains and culverts, vegetation control, line marking, guard rail repair, road sign repair and road patching.

All SANRAL projects are designed to drive transformation in the industry by offering small contractor development support as well as training and community participation. RRM activities are also an opportunity for local SMMEs to get skills development and training through on-the-job experience.

To take the Northern Cape as an example, the agency has committed more than R4bn to road maintenance and improvements over the next three years and a large portion of this will go to SMMEs. Of this, approximately R500m is specifically set aside for RRM. Between 40% to 60% of this value is specifically targeted at SMMEs, including approximately R50m for entry-level road maintenance subcontractors. As just one example, in Naledi Local Municipality in North West, two RRM projects cover 155.70km on the N14 section 9, NN18 sections 4 and 5 and R31 section 1, as well as 163.50km on the N14 section 8, and N18 sections 2 and 3. The main contractor has been appointed and plans are under way to ensure that 50% of the contract, i.e. R58m that must be subcontracted, benefits as many SMMEs as possible.

SANRAL projects are district-based and municipal-based. “This makes it possible for us to resolve community concerns related to our mandate. This grassroots approach ensures that we create opportunities within all the communities we service,” said Ernest Nqenqa, SANRAL’s Northern Region Project Manager.

SANRAL projects require the establishment of a Project Liaison Committee (PLC) prior to contract work being issued. The key role of the PLC is to ensure that there is transparency on how labour and sub-contracting opportunities are awarded and, most importantly, that the local community is integrated as constructively as possible.

SANRAL has a 14-Point Plan to facilitate better project level liaison with local communities and structures. The Plan serves to ensure communication and transparency in the execution of works, ensuring inclusivity in allocation of projects to benefit black business and local communities.

The agency remains committed to SMME development and community engagement in the quest to transform the industry, as well as its overall strategy Horizon 2030 that is aligned to the government’s National Development Plan.

 

The N7 linking Cape Town with Namibia is one of the most picturesque national roads in the Western Cape, as well as a key route for leisure, business and industrial travel. The upgrade of the N7 was a monumental task, divided into five separate construction projects stretching from the Melkbosstrand Interchange all the way to the Hopefield Interchange.

The R512 Pampoennek route in the North West has been officially opened by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula. This road creates a better link to the North West from Gauteng, and ensures that long-distance movements do not interfere with local traffic.

The long-awaited upgrade to the N3 National Route started on 21 January 2021. The upgrades form part of a R30 billion upgrade for both the N2 and N3 highways programme in and around Msunduzi and Durban Metropolitan Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.

Recent media reports state that the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) intends to use the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act (No. 46 of 1998) “AARTO” legal framework to either fine or have motor vehicle licence renewals blocked if motorists have outstanding e-toll fees.

As previously communicated to the media, the legal processes open to SANRAL for outstanding toll fees have been placed on hold until such time as a decision regarding e-tolls has been made by Cabinet.

SANRAL is aware than in the light of an imminent decision on e-tolls there will be attempts by various stakeholders to influence that decision. The regurgitation of old stories is clearly an attempt to do that. The agency would not like to be part of this clear lobbying that is going before a decision on e-tolls is taken. SANRAL, like all other stakeholders, keenly awaits the announcement of the decision. Until then, the agency would prefer to stay out of the matter.

With road infrastructure being prioritised in South Africa’s economic recovery plan in a post-COVID environment, the upgrade of the Thembalethu Bridge in George, bodes well for the Southern Cape economy. This project is a collaborative venture between SANRAL and the George Local Municipality, with the National Department of Transport having provided R82,127 million towards the funding of the project. SANRAL is the Implementing Agent working closely with the George Municipality.

The total construction period is between 24 and 30 months, which should create project participation opportunities for SMMEs as well as both direct and indirect jobs for the local community.

The scope of works involves the widening of the Thembalethu Bridge across the N2 from a single carriageway to accommodate two lanes in each direction, with additional turning lanes as well as extra space for pedestrians and cyclists.

“A new bridge will be constructed on the Western side. Once completed, the existing bridge will be raised and stitched to the new bridge, to ensure that the upgraded structure complies with the minimum bridge clearance of 5.2 metres,” explained Petronella Theron, SANRAL Project Manager.

Detailed design works is currently being finalised and the tender for a contractor will be out by June 2021. Taking the procurement processes into account, the contractor should be appointed by November 2021.

All SANRAL projects are guided by a 14-point plan that sets the tone for project liaison, sub-contracting and labour sourcing, as well as a commitment to its transformation policy that seeks to prioritise economic empowerment of black businesses in South Africa.

“With 30% of the project value being committed to targeted enterprises for subcontracting, there are huge opportunities for start-ups and emerging SMMEs to benefit from project participation,” said Thembinkosi Mosobela, SANRAL Stakeholder Coordinator in the Western Region.

A process of engagement with relevant stakeholders, is already underway and SANRAL, together with the George Local Municipality will explore opportunities to provide training and development of SMMEs in the road construction sector, to ensure that they are equipped, capacitated and ready to tender for work packages that become available on this project.

“These information-sharing and training sessions are of cardinal importance to ensure we broaden the scope of economic opportunities to businesses in the surrounding communities. Our transformation objectives are particularly aligned to facilitate participation of persons with disabilities, women-owned businesses as well as youth-owned operations,” continued Mosobela.

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL’s) has urged all road users to exercise extreme caution ahead of and during the Easter holidays. SANRAL’s head of stakeholder relations, Siphiwo Mxhosa, says South African road users, including motorists and pedestrians, can save lives by practising responsible behaviour.

“SANRAL urges all South African road users to help save lives by complying with the basic rules of the road. Motorists must not drink and drive, nor should they use cell phones whilst driving. We still find that many people text whilst driving; this is not only illegal but illogical because you will cause an accident when you take your eyes off the road and don’t have both your hands on the steering wheel. Pedestrians can also prevent accidents by using only safe crossings. We can all save lives by doing such basics and respecting the rules of the road,” said Mr Mxhosa.

SANRAL participated in a drive to promote responsible road user behaviour ahead of the Easter holidays and to showcase road infrastructure development during the SUV Challenge – Eastern Cape Tour, which ended at Baviaanskloof on Saturday. The SUV Challenge is a public-private partnership incorporating a host of private sector entities partnering with state entities such as Brand South Africa and SANRAL, as well as various municipalities.

The SUV Challenge provided SANRAL with a platform to engage a broad range of stakeholders participating in the event, collaborating on areas of mutual interest on infrastructure development and, through the WHOA Activation at the proposed Kokstad Interchange, encouraged responsible road user behaviour.

“SANRAL encourages responsible road user behaviour and as participants in the SUV Challenge we shared this message with stakeholders in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Part of the SUV Challenge was to participate in a heritage tour, putting on display for participants the region’s attractions and thereby promoting tourism, whilst also showcasing SANRAL’s world-class infrastructure. We also shared information on SANRAL’s scholarship and bursary programmes,” said Mr Mxhosa.

Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s Southern Region Manager, said the roads agency was focussed on ensuring that the road network in the Eastern Cape promoted economic development in support of government’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Programme in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The infrastructure development programmes emphasised by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his recent State of the Nation Address, as well as in the Budget Speech of Finance Minister Tito Mboweni, makes it clear that the road network is critically important to economic growth. In addition to promoting regional economic growth and job creation, SANRAL’s mandate extends beyond the design and construction of safer roads. Our Horizon 2030 Strategy also stresses road safety as a national priority and ensures our role in road safety education and awareness,” said Peterson.

The SUV Challenge – Eastern Cape Tour is a social initiative that was launched in 2018 by the Honourable Premier Oscar Mabuyane, then the MEC for Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

The SUV Challenge – Eastern Cape Tour started with a WHOA Activation at the Kokstad Interchange on Wednesday, 03 March.  WHOA, which is a SANRAL campaign to communicate road safety messages to the public was launched in Kokstad ahead of the Easter holidays.

Included in the heritage tour was a visit to Mbongweni, the birthplace of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. SANRAL will construct a 32km access road to Mbongweni from the R61 near Bizana, in Mbizana Local Municipality within the Alfred Nzo District.

SANRAL also shared messages of responsible road user behaviour and scholarship and bursary information with residents at Nkantolo, the home of the late Oliver Tambo, as well as Mqhekezweni Great Place, home of the late President Nelson Mandela.

Toll tariffs on South Africa’s national roads will be adjusted on 1 March 2021.

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has approved the 2021 toll tariffs as recommended by the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL).  The adjustments were gazetted on 11 February 2021.

“The toll tariff amounts are adjusted by the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation rate and therefore remain the same in real terms and are effectively not increased above the base date toll tariff from when the toll was initially implemented. For SANRAL operated toll routes, the applicable CPI is calculated as the average of annual CPI increases for the months from November to October each year. For the calculation of the March 2021 toll tariffs, the average of the November 2019 to October 2020 monthly year-on-year CPI was obtained from Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) and is calculated to be 3.39 percent, explains Vusi Mona, SANRAL’s General Manager for Communications.

“We incorrectly stated in a media release yesterday (Sunday) that the increase would be 5 percent and apologise to the public and our stakeholders for any inconvenience caused. The correct figure is 3.39 percent, not 5 percent as stated yesterday. However, the table of new toll fees issued yesterday is correct and stands as published,” said Mr. Mona.

Discounts offered at specific toll plazas for frequent users, as well as qualifying local users still apply. Application for discounts can be made at the various toll plaza offices nationwide.

Through SANRAL, the department of transport uses tolling selectively to implement major road infrastructure projects and ensure seamless mobility of vehicles on the national road network. The SANRAL toll road network represents 13.3% of the 22,253km SANRAL national road network and only 5% of the total South African road network.

Toll roads allow for the borrowing of capital to develop road infrastructure when it is required, rather than having to wait until funds are available from an already strained fiscus.  Toll monies are used to maintain, operate and improve toll roads, as well as to service debt incurred to implement a toll road project.

The cost in the event of delayed maintenance on roads can be up to 18 times higher than it would have been if routine preventative maintenance was undertaken. Tolls are paid only by those that make use of the specific toll road.

For details on the applicable tariffs, please refer to the Government Gazettes published on Thursday 11 February 2021, numbers 44145, 44146, 44147 and 44149.

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) has announced the start of the much-anticipated upgrades of the National Route 3 (N3).

This will involve the upgrade of the N3 between the Dardanelles interchange and the Lynnfield Park interchange situated between Cato Ridge and Pietermaritzburg.

During the next 42-month construction period, the existing 4-lane dual carriageway road will be upgraded to an 8-lane dual carriageway by widening to the median and outer shoulders. The existing Dardanelles interchange will also be upgraded to improve traffic flow.

The construction will be result in an investment of R1.48 billion in this section of the highway and create an estimated 700 employment opportunities. The upgrade is a part of the government’s strategy to use Infrastructure delivery to kickstart the economy and forms part of the governments Strategic Integrated Projects SIP2: Durban-Free State-Gauteng Logistics and Industrial Corridor. SIP2 aims to strengthen the logistics and transport corridor between South Africa’s main industrial hubs, improve access to Durban’s export and import facilities and raise efficiency along the corridor.

“Initial work will impact traffic utilising the R103 north of the Camperdown interchange to south of the Lynnfield Park interchange. STOP/GO traffic accommodation along this section of the R103 will be in place to repair the R103 surface and to lower the R103 where it crosses under the N3 north of  Dardanelles,” said Corné Roux, Project Engineer; SANRAL Eastern Region.

The STOP/GO control is anticipated to be effective from 12 February 2021 until 15 May 2021 in the areas indicated in the image below.

The main upgrading activities on the N3 are expected to commence in May 2021, starting with the widening of the southbound carriageway.

Motorists are, however, advised to take note of the construction site and to be observant of the advance warning signs and speed reductions when travelling past the construction work zones.

“The safety of road users and construction workers is of paramount importance. We urge all road users to be extra vigilant, drive with extreme care during the upgrades and obey traffic rules at all times,” concluded Roux.