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The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL), wishes to confirm that work on the N14 Kathu North traffic circle will be completed once a new contractor is appointed.  

“SANRAL notes the concerns about the delay in completing the traffic circles, by protesters who closed the road earlier today and also appreciates the efforts of SAPS and Traffic Law Enforcement officers in re-opening the road”, said Randall Cable, SANRAL Western Region Manager.

The contract for the upgrade of the Kathu traffic circles was terminated in October 2019 due to the contractor failing to perform in accordance with the contract. The works were 70% complete at the time of termination.

Following an evaluation process of the outstanding works and the compilation of new tender documents (also taking into account delays caused by the nationwide COVID-19 lockdown), the tender was advertise for construction, on 11 September 2020. The tender will close on 9 October 2020.

“We have put plans in place for the maintenance of the traffic accommodation on the site, to be managed by the current Routine Road Maintenance contractor responsible for these particular sections of the N14 and this arrangement will continue until a new contractor is appointed to complete the works,” explained Cable.

The awarding of the contract is anticipated to be done by February 2021 with the completion of the construction works earmarked for September 2021.

SANRAL apologises for the inconvenience and remains committed to complete this project as soon as possible, and to ensure a safer and improved road user experience for all.

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says the country’s national road network is an important catalyst for unlocking economic activities on the platinum highway between Gauteng and North West provinces, as well as between South Africa and neighbouring countries.

He was speaking at the official opening of the R512 Pampoennek road in the North West Province. The opening of the road means that motorists will enjoy a free flow of traffic and there will be a better link to the North West from Gauteng, also ensuring that long distance movements do not interfere with local traffic.

“This road gives expression to the notion that transport is the heartbeat of the South African economy, playing an integral part to the country’s economic growth. Roads are an integral part of the South Africa’s transport system and are important infrastructure to enable economic activity and access to social amenities,” says Mbalula.

As part of its ongoing distinct mandate to finance, improve, manage and maintain the national road network – often referred to as the country’s “economic arteries” – the Pampoennek road demonstrates the South African National Road Agency SOC Limited’s (SANRAL) commitment in investing in road infrastructure; a commitment that is aimed at addressing the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality as well as making roads an impetus to growing the local economy.

Built at a cost of R377 million, the road stretches from the R512 to the west of the Hartbeespoort Dam through Pampoennek, connecting easily to the N4.

SANRAL CEO Skhumbuzo Macozoma echoes the sentiments that the completion of this project demonstrates SANRAL’s ongoing commitment in improving the socio-economic conditions of the people that live around it.

“This project demonstrates that it is possible to transform the construction industry through road infrastructure projects and to also have effective community participation in government projects. All of this finds expression in our long-term Horizon 2030 strategy, which enables and ensures that local community members and SMMEs benefit from our projects. Where the road passes, development follows, and we look forward to seeing more development in this area”, says Macozoma.

Through Horizon 2030, SANRAL has a proactive response to create a national road transport system that delivers a better life for citizens that live alongside its projects.

The construction of the Pampoennek route generated 209 permanent jobs for locals with a R27 460 060.65 expenditure till end of July this year. About 180 locals were offered an opportunity to undergo training with an accredited training service provider and a total of R430 855 was allocated to skills development. Twelve sub-contractors were also employed to the project, with R75m allocated to these sub-contractors.

In the North West SANRAL is already working on the N14, N12 as well as the N18 national roads. As the roads agency continues to develop these corridors, it also continues to work with its partners in both the public and private sectors.

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is making steady progress in developing the multi-billion-rand N2 Wild Coast Road Project which will serve as a crucial economic artery, bringing significant socio-economic benefits and thousands of work opportunities for local communities. The devastating impact of COVID-19 has caused some delays to the project but activities have resumed following the easing of lockdown restrictions according to the government’s risk-adjusted strategy.

The N2 Wild Coast Project entails the construction of two mega-bridge structures on the Msikaba and Mtentu Rivers, seven additional major river bridges and several interchange bridges, as well as new intersection, interchanges, pedestrian walkways and agricultural under and over passes.

SANRAL has noted recent media reports regarding allegations made by a community organisation and wishes to reiterate that it has conducted all necessary consultations and is following due process in developing the project.

SANRAL’s service providers returned to site at the end of July to continue with site investigations. These activities were in line with a community resolution reached at a community meeting held between SANRAL and the community of Bekela together with local municipal and traditional leadership on 18 March 2020. The community was advised of the imminent return to site of SANRAL’s service providers via the local councillor, local traditional leaders and members of the Project Liaison Committee (PLC).

SANRAL’s project manager for the N2 Wild Coast Road Project, Craig McLachlan, said the roads agency’s investigating team has done its utmost to ensure that it works together with local community representatives whilst conducting their surveys. Regarding allegations that SANRAL’s workers had trespassed on the property of locals, McLachlan said: “As far as possible, our investigation team tries not to disturb residents when we go onto sites.

However, there are generally no fences or boundary demarcations in some communities, so it is often difficult to determine if our workers are on someone’s allocated land. If SANRAL dug on a property without consent, as is being reported, that may have happened if there was no one at home to point out the family’s boundary land. It certainly would not have been our intention to trespass on any property and we will continue to work with local community representatives and do our best to ensure that such incidents do not occur,” said McLachlan.

McLachlan further clarified that the community meeting held on 18 March 2020 resolved that SANRAL will have access to a proclaimed road reserve and adjacent corridor to conduct required investigations and surveys into the road that are necessary to finalise specific aspects of the design process. A formal access agreement was signed with the community at the conclusion of the meeting.

“As explained to the community, the access agreement does not constitute a land acquisition agreement as that can only be conducted once the final road alignment is confirmed. At that stage, another round of community meetings and meetings with specifically affected landowners will be held under the guidance of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, and it will be done in terms of the relevant legislation for communal owned land.

SANRAL would like to point out that the N2 Wild Coast Road Project holds significant socio-economic benefits for local communities, including an estimated 8,000 direct jobs envisaged for construction work, whilst operational work is anticipated to create 900 direct jobs in addition to the 16-20 000 indirect jobs that will flow from the project,” said McLachlan.

The N2 Wild Coast Road, which stretches 410km from the Gonubie Interchange in East London to the Mtamvuna river near Port Edward, will shorten the current distance by 85 kilometres in comparison to the current route, delivering a travel time saving of between one-and-a-half to three-hours for road-users once it is completed saving the economy R1.5 billion annually.

SANRAL would also like to point out that the overwhelming majority of local communities support the development of this crucial major infrastructure project and it is with this in mind that the development of the N2 Wild Coast Road is proceeding.

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) would like to place it on record that Peter Bridge on the N3 is safe for public use.

The prop in place is a contingent support should something happen to weaken the structure further. We do understand that the presence of the temporary prop can be a little visually disconcerting. SANRAL was in the process of appointing a contractor to make permanent repairs to the bridge before the country went on lockdown on 26 March.

“The tender to commence the repair of Townhill and the Peter Brown bridge is still in the evaluation process. Unfortunately, the Covid-19 lockdown has delayed this process but we are expecting to award the supervision contract by November 2020 at the latest” says Hugh Brooks, Eastern Region Project Manager.

The bridge is completely safe but aesthetically unappealing. The bridge was last inspected by the Routine Road Maintenance on 4 August 2020.