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N7 upgrade spearheads economic development

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More than 500 job opportunities have been created and a legacy of empowerment will be left behind after completion of the construction work. 

For SANRAL, it is crucial that its projects must not only significantly contribute to economic development and job creation, but that a legacy of empowerment must be left behind after the completion of the construction work. 

The upgrade of the N7 in Malmesbury goes way beyond construction and has social inclusion at its very core.  

With a budget of R505-million, this project has created more than 500 work opportunities for residents since January 2015. 

This has far-reaching consequences in terms of the economic development of the town. 

Upgrades 

The existing single carriageway of the N7 Section 1 from kilometre 48 to  km 52 is being upgraded to a dual carriageway freeway, which would tie into the existing dual carriageway section beginning south of the Darling Road Interchange at km 52. 

This interchange is being upgraded in order to improve the capacity for traffic movement between the western and eastern parts of Malmesbury, situated on opposite sides of the N7.  

This is accomplished by dualling the Darling/Bokomo road under the N7, and improving the layout of the N7 ramps and ramp terminals. 

Alexi Maravelias of AECOM, SANRAL’s Consulting Engineers on this project, said: “This is a multi-phased project and our specific section, which spans approximately 4.5km, involved intense rehabilitation of the existing road, as well as the re-construction of 13 structures.” 

Stefanutti Stocks and Power Construction formed a consortium to ensure they could draw on the highly-specialised skills needed for a project as complex as this one. 

Community wins 

Poens Venter, MD of Power Construction, was highly pleased that the improved interchange not only improves traffic flow but also brings the residents of Wesbank closer to jobs and other amenities within the town of Malmesbury, thereby vastly increasing social inclusion in this area. 

For SANRAL, it is crucial that its projects must not only significantly contribute to economic development and job creation, but that a legacy of empowerment must be left behind after the completion of the construction work. 

Project Liaison Officer on this project, Lilian Leukes, has put her heart and soul into ensuring she facilitates as many developmental opportunities as possible for the residents to benefit from inclusion in this project.  

“As a result of this project many of our local residents have been able to put food on the table, while others have used this as a launchpad to further their education and career growth,” said Leukes. 

On a project of this magnitude challenges are par for the course and, according to Grant White, Site Agent of the Stefanutti Stocks Power Consortium, pedestrian and traffic accommodation during construction was one the major challenges.  

White lauded the community for their patience and cooperation during construction. 

“This project is in the final stages and we are incredibly proud not only of the world-class quality of the N7 in terms of the road-user experience, but also of the major role the construction industry has played and continues to play in spearheading economic development in our country,” said Steph Bredenhann, SANRAL Project Manager.

No planned full-scale closure of the Huguenot Tunnel

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Essential upgrades and repairs to the South Bore could be done without having to close the tunnel completely for extended periods of time. 

At this stage it seems viable to do these repairs mainly at night, when traffic volumes are at their lowest, to ensure the tunnel can be operational during the daytime.

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) has investigated various options for urgent and necessary upgrades and repair work to the current operational South Bore of the Huguenot Tunnel, with minimal disruption and inconvenience to the road user a vital aspect of the planning. 

Randall Cable, SANRAL Western Region Manager, said: “Over the past few months we have fielded various questions regarding the closure of the tunnel and the duration thereof while upgrades are underway. In considering the travel patterns of road users, peak traffic times, the economic impact of a full-scale closure and detour routes, we have concluded that the essential upgrades and repairs to the South Bore could be done without having to close the tunnel completely for extended periods of time.  

“At this stage it seems viable to do these repairs mainly at night, when traffic volumes are at their lowest, to ensure the tunnel can be operational during the daytime. This may involve, intermittently, only permitting light motor vehicles through the tunnel and diverting all heavy vehicles along alternative routes for short periods of time.” 

Towards the end of 2017, SANRAL hosted tunnel experts from around the world for a conference on Road Tunnel Operations.  

From this engagement two outcomes were clear. SANRAL must (i) ensure that enough systems are in place to communicate with road users to direct them to safety in case of an emergency in the tunnel and; (ii) to design and implement the commissioning of the North Bore to ensure the tunnel meets international standards in terms of safety and operations. 

Upgrades and repairs 

Refurbishment of the South Bore is currently planned to commence in the second half of the year and to be completed by January 2020, while construction on the North Bore is targeted for January 2021. The twin-bore operation could be effective by December 2025. 

Alternative routes are available and include Paarl – Du Toit’s Kloof Pass – Worcester (±62 km) and Paarl – Gouda -Tulbagh – Worcester (±121 km). Depending on origin and destination, the N2 is also an option. 

“In the coming months we will make final announcements with regard to the scheduled repairs and upgrades to ensure that road users are fully informed of the work being carried out and the effects this may have on traffic flow,” concluded Cable. 

The key is to ensure that the agency gives real-time, accurate information to road users, so they can plan their trips accordingly.

N14 upgrade will save lives

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With industrial and residential expansion, the Kathu North and South intersections were experiencing significant increases in traffic volumes, which further compromised safety and road capacity. 

The total project cost is R66-million, of which 23% was earmarked for SMME contractor development.  

In evaluating the safety and capacity of the N14 between Olifantshoek and Kathu, SANRAL set out to improve and upgrade three intersections – Olifantshoek, Kathu South and Kathu North. 

Friedl van der Merwe, SANRAL Project Manager, said: “The intersections were considered unsafe for motorists, as those travelling from Olifantshoek on the N14 would have to come to a complete stop at the intersection to either turn left towards Kathu or right onto the R325 towards Postmasburg.  

“Very often motorists did not anticipate this complete halt on a national road, and proceeded straight across the intersection into the veld, sometimes resulting in tragic fatalities.” 

With industrial and residential expansion, the Kathu North and South intersections were experiencing significant increases in traffic volumes, which further compromised safety and road capacity. 

“Chicanes are in place to slow down particularly heavy trucks approaching the intersections and special attention was also given to pedestrian safety by incorporating sidewalks for safer pedestrian access,” said Steven Gerber Resident Engineer from GIBB Consulting Engineers. 

SMMEs benefit 

The total project cost is R66-million, of which 23% was earmarked for SMME contractor development.  

Furthermore, SMMEs were sourced from the surrounding communities and, where needed, attention was given to capacity building and skills development. 

“When I initially came on board this project, I had limited knowledge and experience in road construction, but thanks to the training and development I am doing far more advanced work,” said Lazarus Phala, one of the SMME subcontractors on the project. 

This project also incorporates a partnership with the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works, which saw SANRAL take care of the repair, widening and re-seal of approximately 3.5km of the R380, which forms part of the Western leg of the Kathu South Intersection. 

Construction started in August 2017, and it is anticipated that work will be completed early in 2019. 

A video link to this project can be found here.

Hopefield interchange – small town, big development

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The value it adds to the life of ordinary people who benefit from work opportunities, training and exposure, cannot be overstated. 

SANRAL is incredibly proud of the legacy it leaves in this West Coast town, where many people can access further developmental opportunities with the skills and knowledge, they have acquired during the time spent working on this project.

The Hopefield Interchange is designed to link the R45 to the new N7, with a focus on safer access and increased capacity of the road, given the continuous expansion and development of the surrounding towns. 

Leon Oosthuizen, resident engineer from Consulting Engineers, Royal HaskoningDHV, said: “In a nutshell, we are building approximately 5km of dual road on the N7, 2km of ramps at the new interchange, three separate bridges and an agricultural underpass to assist farmers with getting their machinery and harvests safely underneath the N7.”  

A project of this complexity does not go unchallenged.  

“For the first year, a large amount of time was spent removing roughly 350 000m³ of clay soil to accommodate the roads underneath the bridges,” said Marius Matthee, Construction Manager for the contractor, Triamic Construction. 

This upgrade started in January 2017, comes at a cost of R334-million and is due for completion in July 2019. 

Locals respond 

The value it adds to the life of ordinary people who benefit from work opportunities, training and exposure, cannot be overstated. 

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn and earn a living. This project has given me a sense of pride because I can now pay my own way in life,” said Lawrence Gashez, a local resident who has been trained to do steel fixing on the site. 

Yolanda Makhubalo, from Malmesbury is one of the youths identified for learnerships on the project and after having aced the theory she is making her presence known on site, demonstrating a passionate hunger to learn from the experts. 

SANRAL is incredibly proud of the legacy it leaves in this West Coast town, where many people can access further developmental opportunities with the skills and knowledge, they have acquired during the time spent working on this project. 

The video link to this project can be found here.

Wellness champions looking after maintenance workers

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SANRAL looks after the health of those who look after South Africa’s roads.

While visiting the Northern Cape, the wellness champions team met up with some RRM workers who had just gone through a day of HIV testing and counselling, as well as a general session about overall wellness. 

Routine Road Maintenance workers often spend long hours on the road don’t necessarily have time to visit primary healthcare facilities for preventative screenings, so SANRAL has partnered with a service provider to take wellness to the workers.  

The wellness programme is designed to provide information to the workers about their wellbeing, including their physical, mental and financial health.  

While visiting the Northern Cape, the wellness champions team met up with some RRM workers who had just gone through a day of HIV testing and counselling, as well as a general session about overall wellness. 

Appreciative workers 

Andrea Maans from Hopetown is a general worker who is largely responsible for litter clean-up and ensuring the road reserve is kept clean.  

“I have learnt so much about the importance of eating the right foods and how what you put in your body affects your physical health,” said Andrea.  

Douglas Nqalela is the site manager for Rainbow Civils, responsible for RRM on the N12 from Hopetown to Hartswater.  

He is incredibly committed to exposing his team to information and healthcare services to improve their overall wellbeing. “A healthy worker is a productive worker,” said Douglas with a smile. 

Joseph Japhta from Ritchie is a general worker and was most appreciative of the fact that healthcare services were being brought directly to the workers.  

“We work all day, and even on weekends, so by the time we’re at home, the clinics are closed. So, bringing this service to us is a huge help and I am now better equipped to look after my health,” said Joseph.  

Ernest Malusi, the wellness champion in Kimberley, lives for his work.  

“The day I got this job was like a dream come true. A wellness champion is an engine of change. I make sure I focus on the holistic wellbeing of my teams – not just the absence of physical pain. I pay equal attention to their physical, emotional and financial wellbeing,” he said.

Road Incident Management System saves time and lives

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The new technology is set to improve the way the system works and is anticipated to be rolled out in the Northern Cape by mid-2019.  

Detecting the incident, recording the details, deciding who to dispatch, waiting for the respondents to arrive on the scene, assessing the situation and applying the required remedy need to happen fast.

The Northern Cape is the largest province in South Africa, taking up 30.5% of the total land area.  

With 3257km of national roads, 4989km of provincial surfaced roads and 22746km of provincial gravel roads, which means that when responding to any incident, whether big or small, time is of the essence.  

Processes 

Detecting the incident, recording the details, deciding who to dispatch, waiting for the respondents to arrive on the scene, assessing the situation and applying the required remedy need to happen fast.  

Rossouw Dreyer, acting operational manager of the Northern Cape department of health, emergency medical services, said: “Currently we work on an old-school pen system where the call is logged, and the operator tries to extract as much information from the caller before activating the necessary response teams. The new system we are in the process of procuring is built on a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) model.  

“With the new technology, the caller is identified via caller ID, the GPS coordinates pick up the location and the computer prompts the operator with relevant questions in order to make a full assessment of the situation. The relevant response teams are then dispatched, and the system can even detect which vehicles are closest to the incident and provide an estimated time of arrival, so that the operator can keep the caller informed every step of the way.”  

After the emergency response teams have left the scene and the situation has been stabilised is when SANRAL’s Routine Route Maintenance (RRM) teams kick in to clean up and get the road safe and ready for road users, particularly after it has been closed due to a crash.  

“We are the last cog in the wheel of response, and we make sure the road surface is cleared of all debris and safe for vehicles to drive on,” said Zandile Gaba, Route Manager in the Northern Cape.  

The new technology is set to improve the way the Road Incident Management System is rolled out in the Northern Cape and it is anticipated that the CAD system will be implemented by mid-2019.  

Getting help to those who need it most is a key priority in SANRAL’s approach to road safety and response management – embracing technology that will take a good system to being great.

A bridge over the Orange River is Hopetown’s lifeline

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The N12 bridge, which has served road users for well over 50 years, is now an impressive structural masterpiece. 

In line with SANRAL’s Transformation Policy, R20-million of the R100-million budget for this project was earmarked for SMME development.

The countdown until the first vehicles roll over the for the refurbished bridge over the Orange River on the N12 outside Hopetown in early 2019 has begun.  

Construction started in 2016 and, notwithstanding some challenges along the way, including working under live traffic conditions and violent protests in the Northern Cape that at times halted construction, the work is on track.  

What was once a 9.3m bridge that has been serving road users for well over 50 years, is now an impressive structural masterpiece with a width of 15.4m, significantly increasing the capacity of the N12 as a major industrial and commercial artery between the Northern Cape and, particularly, the Western Cape.  

Tiago Massingue, SANRAL Project Manager, said: “Building piers for a 12-span bridge in the Orange River was no walk in the park. We had to time our work carefully, taking seasonal rainfall, the strength of the river, environmental regulations and most importantly, the safety of the workers into account every step of the way.  

“However, nature has a way of sometimes aiding technology and for the most part we were very fortunate to have had favourable weather conditions, particularly in an unforgiving climate like that of the Northern Cape.“  

SMMEs always win 

In line with SANRAL’s Transformation Policy, R20-million of the R100-million budget for this project was earmarked for SMME development, which not only created a platform for economic growth of small businesses in the surrounding areas, but directly impacted on job creation for the local community.  

Abraham Swartz from Hopetown, one of the subcontractors on this project, is incredibly proud of the 10 residents he is able to give gainful employment to.  

“I have learnt so much from the main contractor, particularly on safety practices on site. It was my first time working on a project of this magnitude and I am grateful to SANRAL for giving us small businesses the opportunity to work alongside the big players and be capacitated for long-term sustainability,” said Swartz.  

Upon returning to site early in January, there were just a few finishing touches to bring to life a majestic concrete creation that is ready to serve road users for the next 50 years.

FAQs on Community Development Projects

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SANRAL is committed to the transformation of the engineering and construction sectors through community development projects. 

A few FAQs to put your mind at ease.

How does SANRAL decide which projects to support? 

The community development projects chosen may or may not be directly related to SANRAL construction or maintenance activities.  

The national road network stretches across South Africa and benefits broader developmental objectives, such as economic growth and job creation. But it is also important to demonstrate the specific benefits of these projects to local communities who live close to the road network.  

People are justifiably asking questions about the relevance of construction projects: How will they benefit locals? How are they changing lives? 

What value does SANRAL add?  

The national roads agency has a clear commitment to the transformation of the engineering and construction sectors.  

Firstly, we are committed to breaking down monopolies in supply chains and ensuring the broad-based participation of black South Africans.  

Secondly, we put in place clear guidelines and structures to ensure local communities benefit directly from the procurement of goods and services from local suppliers to giving preference to the creation of local jobs. 

How can I participate in a local community development project?  

In each area where SANRAL is involved, we will set up project liaison committees (PLCs) to facilitate the involvement of local communities and enterprises.  

Companies or groups who want to participate are advised to approach their local PLCs for more information. 

How will local businesses benefit when it comes to procurement? 

SANRAL is engaging with original equipment manufacturers and suppliers to ensure that black individuals, contractors, suppliers and entities participate in fields such as manufacturing, distribution, installation and maintenance.  

In addition, it will promote the use of innovative materials that can offer opportunities for previously disadvantaged people to participate in these fields. 

Will SANRAL provide support for emerging enterprises?  

SANRAL’s aim is to help grow emerging black-owned enterprises through construction projects.  

We want them to become contractors who will be able to bid for major projects in the broader engineering and construction sectors.  

Each SANRAL project is accompanied by a programme for skills development, training and empowerment.  

We will also identify, train and nurture black small contractors through projects such as the Community Development Programme (CDP) and the Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) programme.  

Will SANRAL’s guidelines also apply to its contractors?  

All our contractors and service providers are required to provide us with clear transformation plans that outline their own commitment to the participation of black South Africans.  

They will also have to use a SANRAL-approved database of subcontractors that will be drawn up in consultation with PLCs.  

SANRAL will promote joint ventures, consortiums and partnerships on all its projects to ensure inclusivity, participation and the growth of black businesses. 

What are the implications of SANRAL’s Transformation Policy and Horizon 2030 for the agency’s broad business objectives?  

The Transformation Policy will apply to all SANRAL activities in the construction and engineering sectors, but also to services provided in fields such as property development, information and communications technology, finance and audit, legal and professional services, marketing, advertising and communications. 

What benefits will the new policies bring to education and training?   

SANRAL will set specific targets for scholarships, bursaries and internships to grow the pool of young professionals.  

We will also continue to support educational programmes and partnerships with universities and education departments to improve the quality of teaching in subjects such as maths, science and technology.  

Our Family Maths and Family Science initiative, in partnership with the University of the Free State and the Department of Basic Education (DBE), are good examples of such programmes.  

Schools or communities who want to participate in these programmes are advised to get more information from the district offices of the DBE.  

SANRAL’s Head Office is in Pretoria, Gauteng, and can be contacted during office hours on 012-884-8000.

SANRAL’s social responsibility

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The road agency incorporates strong social transformation principles into the conduct of its core business. 

The terms of all the agency’s contracts are such that SMMEs – and particularly black-owned SMMEs – are prioritised for sub-contracts in all construction projects and road maintenance work.  

The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) takes seriously its potential to help alleviate the major social and economic challenges of our country, namely, widespread poverty, high unemployment and extreme inequality.  

It does so principally by incorporating strong social transformation principles into the conduct of its core business. The terms of all the agency’s contracts are such that SMMEs – and particularly black-owned SMMEs – are prioritised for sub-contracts in all construction projects and road maintenance work.  

In addition, there is an attempt to promote local sourcing of services and the participation of women and youth, not only through sub-contracting but through employment on construction and maintenance projects, and associated training. 

Further avenues for creating social value are:  

  • SANRAL’s community development projects, which enhance road infrastructure in communities close to, but generally off the national road network.  
  • Its road safety programme, which combines the engineering of safer roads with road safety education and interventions to improve the response to road incidents.  
  • The contribution it makes to universities in terms of their training of engineers and road transport professionals, the research they undertake and their projects to improve performance in maths and science at school level.  

Toll road concession companies are all contractually obliged to undertake social programmes and they fulfil this responsibility in different ways, according to local needs and their corporate culture. 

Contracting SMMEs 

SANRAL provided 1 886 opportunities for SMMEs to participate in road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance projects during 2017/18, and the total amount earned through these contracts was R3 087-million.  

Black-owned SMMEs derived the greatest benefit, accounting for 59% of all SMME’s participating earning 77% of the total rand value.  

Contracts awarded to black-owned SMMEs have increased, both in absolute numbers and percentage terms. Similar trends are apparent in relation to the value of work undertaken by black-owned SMMEs.  

These figures indicate the successful implementation of prevailing empowerment polices in SANRAL.  

Training of workers  

Contracts opened training opportunities for 3 421 workers in 2017/18 and the total number of courses undertaken was 6 748. 

Women constituted 42% of those afforded training.  

The three-year trend indicates that the number of trainees in 2017/18 was not greatly affected by the decrease in work opportunities in 2017/18, although fewer workers attended more than one course.

Working with the people for the people

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 SANRAL’s approach to its business is always to take the needs of communities into account.  

According to Ismail Essa, SANRAL’s Transformation Manager, their aim is to have 30% of contract work done by local SMMEs, preferably black and woman-owned.

When we build roads, we also build communities. We do this for those who live close to our roads, but also in a wider sense.  

The latter we help with scholarships and bursaries, arrange for the intake of interns, we have partnerships with several universities to enhance the knowledge of science and maths among school children, as well as support chairs at three universities to grow the understanding of engineering and maths. 

We work very closely with the communities who live near our roads. We have a very deliberate approach, best expressed by the principle: work with the people for the transportation needs of the people.  

Local SMMEs win 

Our aim is to have 30% of contract work done by local SMMEs, preferably black and woman-owned.  

They are continuously trained to be able to manage their companies and their staff also undergo training courses to teach them various technical skills related to the work of road building and maintenance.  

The intention is to leave behind skills and experience to assist the SMME and its employees to find work once the SANRAL contract has come to an end.  

We know our roads are not only for cars and trucks. We keep other road users, such as cyclists and pedestrians, in mind too, and where necessary, build special facilities for them.  

We take road safety seriously and run road safety programmes in schools near our construction projects.  

Project Liaison Committees 

We establish Project Liaison Committees (PLCs) for all our projects in the different communities where we are active.  

The PLCs consist of local people, contractors, businesses, interest groups and SANRAL-delegated representatives.  

These committees are the voice of the community, communicating its needs to SANRAL.  

Economic growth without proper roads is impossible. But in the end, it is all about the people we serve.  

SANRAL’s approach to its business is always to take the needs of communities into account: working with the people for the people.  

This is an opinion piece by Ismail Essa, SANRAL’s Transformation Manager.