Blog

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

 Temporary closures on N1 near Polokwane for essential power line installation

Pretoria, 28 November 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to notify motorists of temporary closures on the N1 section 26, km 12.8 N/S near Polokwane in Limpopo Province.

The closure will affect the fast-lanes bi-directional (Northbound and Southbound) of the N1 to allow Eskom to install new overhead transmission power lines.

To ensure the safety of workers and motorists, traffic in both directions may be briefly halted for up to 30 minutes when cables are pulled across the road.

These closures will take place over five weekdays as indicated below.

These closures will take place over five weekdays as indicated below. Dates		Starting Time		Ending Time		Area / Location
Commence Date:	Monday, 2 December 2024		08h00		16h00		Near Polokwane
End Date:	Friday, 6 December 2024		08h00		12h00		Near Polokwane

Local Traffic Officials will be on-site to manage traffic flow and minimise delays. Motorists are advised to:

• Plan their trips accordingly, allowing extra travel time, or consider alternate routes.
• Drive with caution, follow posted speed limits and be attentive to all signage and instructions from traffic officials.
• Check real-time traffic updates and road status information during these dates.

Weather conditions on the day may require adjustments to the lane closure schedule. Should any changes be necessary, SANRAL will issue updated information.

These essential fast lane closures will enable critical power infrastructure to be installed, enhancing service reliability in the area.

SANRAL urge motorists to be patient and cooperative throughout this period, as every effort is being made to ensure minimal disruption to their journeys.

Ends//

MEDIA RELEASE

Reconstruction of the slow lane on N3 from Sanctuary Road to Link Road

 Pietermaritzburg, 26 November 2024 – The reconstruction of the slow lane on the N3 between Sanctuary Road and Link Road will be completed before the busy December 2024 period, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The emergency repairs started on Monday, 25 November 2024 and are scheduled to be completed by Friday, 6 December 2024, before the December holidays start,” said Thabiso Dladla, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

Northbound carriage way (traveling from Pietermaritzburg towards Hilton)

The following sections along the northbound carriageway will be under construction as emergency works will commence to ensure the section is safe for motorists during the festive season:

• Sanctuary Road (emergency repairs to all potholes along the slow lane)
• Link Road (emergency repairs to the area where the culvert has settled)

With the various lane closures being in place, motorists will be diverted to the middle and fast lanes on the northbound carriageway when repairing the potholes. When repairs are conducted on the fast lane, motorists will be diverted to the slow lane on the northbound carriageway.

Dladla said, “We appeal to road users to adhere to the road signs and speed limit when approaching and travelling through the construction site. SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience this may cause and ask for your understanding as we work to make the necessary upgrades.”

//ends

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Road closed due to vehicle collision at N3 Ashburton Interchange

Pietermaritzburg, 22 November 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced the temporary closure of the N3 southbound carriageway at the Ashburton interchange due to a collision between two trucks.

“Emergency services have closed the N3 at Market Road to conduct clean-up operations. Traffic beyond Market Road is stationary. One of the vehicles, a car carrier, lost its load leading to the crash. No fatalities have been reported,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager. The northbound carriageway is still open to traffic, he said.

SANRAL apologises to road users for any inconvenience caused during this temporary road closure.

//Ends

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Road closure due to upgrade of N3 between Gladys Manzi and New England Roads

Pietermaritzburg, 22 November 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to inform the public about the planned temporary road closure on the N3 between Gladys Manzi and New England Roads, for the installation of bridge beams to construct the new Market Road overpass bridge.

The closure, which will take place on the N3 northbound, will start at 21h00 on Saturday, 23 November 2024, and will end at 05h00 on Sunday, 24 November 2024. The closure may extend to Sunday, 24 November 2024, from 21h00 and conclude on Monday, 25 November 2024, at 05h00.

While the N3 northbound carriageway will be closed, the ramps will remain open and will be used as a minor deviation using the N3 northbound via Market Road off-ramp and then a temporary on-ramp back onto the N3.

“Our traffic accommodation team will be assisted by the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) to manage and monitor the closures. We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Specialist Geometrics Engineer.

“As the works are happening at night, when traffic volumes are at their lowest, only slight delays are expected on the Market Road interchange. Commuters are encouraged to plan their routes accordingly to avoid delays. Public transport operators are encouraged to share the route closure information with their drivers. Light vehicles, emergency services and traffic management are advised to be patient or use alternative routes made available at this time. Heavy vehicles are advised to find suitable staging areas over this period. SANRAL appreciates the public’s patience as it continues to enhance major roads,” said Lowe.

//Ends

MEDIA RELEASE
Mbokodweni River Bridge is open to traffic

Pietermaritzburg, 21 November 2024 – The Mbokodweni River Bridge on the N2 in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has been reopened to traffic as of Thursday, 21 November 2024, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced. The first phase of repairs has been made to the bridge after it was closed due to damage.
The bridge was closed on Monday, 4 November, following damage to some of its bearings, in particular the concrete rocker bearings supporting the fourth span of the southbound bridge.

President Cyril Ramaphosa inspected the damage to the bridge on 8 November 2024 and was briefed by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa and SANRAL CEO Reginald Demana.
The first phase of repairs entailed the replacement of the failed concrete bearings with structural steel bearings. This will allow the opening of the bridge to normal traffic including heavy vehicles for the December to January period. However, the movement of abnormal loads and super loads over that bridge will be restricted for that period, in line with recommendations from the technical report certifying the repairs.

The second phase of repairs is due to commence by late January 2025 and will entail the replacement of all the bearings of the same design on the southbound bridge as a proactive precautionary measure. This work will be undertaken with minimal disturbance to traffic, using traffic accommodation measures that are already being implemented on the rest of the N2 and N3 upgrade projects.

SANRAL CEO said he was happy with the speed with which the roads agency has effected the repairs, saying that it was a priority for the roads agency to ensure that the bridge was operational before the start of the holiday season because of the importance of the N2.

“The reopening of the Mbokodweni River Bridge ahead of the festive season is very positive and significant for road users,” said Demana. “This demonstrates SANRAL’s commitment to delivering on what we had promised President Ramaphosa and our Minister when they visited the bridge about two weeks ago. Ultimately, it shows that SANRAL is determined to ensure that people who use that important route to go home for Christmas and holidaymakers alike are now able to use the N2 with minimal disruption.

It is also one of our country’s most important corridors for the movement of goods on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal and between KZN and the Eastern Cape,” he said. The contract for the upgrade of the N2 between Moss Kolnick Drive and Isipingo to a four- or five-lane carriageway is already in the procurement stage and is expected to be awarded in the first quarter of 2025. The project will include the upgrading and modernising of the bridge structure.

//Ends
________________________________________________________________________
Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL). For editorial content or additional information contact Lwando Mahlasela on 082 440 4305 pressoffice@nra.co.za

UPDATE: TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Temporary fast-lane closures on N2 near Fort Jackson lifted

Gqeberha, 20 November 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to advise motorists that the temporary fast-lane closures on the N2 near Fort Jackson in the Eastern Cape have been lifted. The closures were undertaken between the Fort Jackson and Berlin interchanges to allow Eskom to install new overhead transmission powerlines over the N2.

The closures were implemented last weekend and two more closures were scheduled for Saturday, 23 November, and Sunday, 24 November 2024. However, the fast-lane closures scheduled to take place this weekend (23 and 24 November) will no longer happen and the road is open to normal traffic flow.

“We wish to thank motorists for their understanding and cooperation as their safety was of utmost importance during this critical operation,” said Kayakazi Mafuta, SANRAL’s Acting Regional Manager for the Southern Region.

Ends//

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
N1 Section 21 Sinkhole Rehabilitation Project

Gauteng, 20 November 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to notify travellers that the rehabilitation of the sinkhole on the N1 Section 21 at km 22.0, Southbound, has reached the next phase. This requires the closing of an additional lane on the Southbound Carriageway.

“The lane closure will reduce the current number of lanes on the N1 southbound past the N1 sinkhole works site (just south of the R21 Flying Saucer Interchange) from the current four lanes to three lanes. This closure will be erected on Friday evening the 22nd of November and will be in place until Sunday the 1st of December 2024,” said Progress Hlahla, SANRAL’s Regional Manager for the Northern Region.

Motorists are requested to strictly adhere to the traffic accommodation and signage provided.
SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

//End

MEDIA RELEASE

Government steps in to ward off threats to SANRAL mega road project in KwaBhaca

Caption: Eastern Cape Transport and Community Safety MEC, Xolile Nqatha addresseing stakeholders in Mthatha

Mthatha, 20 November 2024 – The Eastern Cape MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Xolile Nqatha, has urged the leadership and community of the Alfred Nzo District to safeguard the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) mega road construction project near KwaBhaca (formerly Mount Frere).

MEC Nqatha hosted a stakeholder engagement session at Dan’s Country Lodge near Mthatha recently, to address community grievances that threaten the construction of SANRAL’s R1.2 billion rehabilitation of the N2 section between KwaBhaca and Ngcweleni River, near Emaxesibeni (formerly Mount Ayliff). The project commended in April 2024 and is due for completion in November 2026.

The session was intended to resolve issues that have the potential to disrupt the implementation of the project, which presents major socio-economic benefits for the Eastern Cape. The meeting was attended by political and traditional leadership in the affected areas, aggrieved members of the communities, the contractor Rumdel Construction Cape (Pty) Ltd, the Project Liaison Committee (PLC) and SANRAL.

Central to the dispute is the contractor’s commercial source of crushed material, the employment of local labour and packages for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). In recent weeks, residents from Sugarbush village blockaded the N2 with rocks and burning tyres over the alleged sourcing of illegal materials on the basis that the mining permit used was invalid.

MEC Nqatha decried the stoppage as they have cost implications for the government.

“The matter is of great concern to all spheres of government as it is costly to government and the taxpayers themselves. The matter is now in the courts and while there is a stoppage, the company charges standing time. This is economic sabotage,” he said.

Construction manager for Rumdel Construction, Mduduzi Mdletshe, alleges that people from Bizana were bused to block the N2 despite the existence of a PLC that oversees the employment of local labour.

“We have employed more than 300 people on the project,” he said. “When everyone from the villages wants to be employed, this is unattainable. More than 70 SMMEs are employed here with over R400 million set aside for them. We will employ people for packages still to come as we are still in early project stages.”

Unathi Ximbi, legal representative for Mjelweni village, informed the meeting about the crucial meetings held with the contractor over a mining permit.

“The community has no problem with Rumdel and employment, but the issue is over Rumdel and licence holder, Bismarck, mining without consultation with the community. The contractor went to court, but their application failed. We expect judgement on it soon,” said Ximbi.

He said the permit was invalid on the grounds that there was no consultation and the matter will come before the high court to adjudicate.

As a way forward, Nqatha noted that no developments should be stopped and they should unite communities rather than be a source of antagonism. The parties should leave any dispute to the courts and the police will have to enforce an interdict when granted.

“It is the communities and workers alike who lose out whenever development is halted. Rumdel needs to convene a meeting with business and Speakers of local municipalities to explain the available packages and benefits flowing to labour and targeted enterprises,” said Nqatha.

The session heard about complaints over damage to houses in villages closer to the quarry, with the MEC pleading with the contractor not to distance itself from the queries while SANRAL, as a government entity should supervise the process.

An audio clip with English sound is available here: https://we.tl/t-LMuISEvQSd

//Ends

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Lane and shoulder closures on the N2 between Linton Grange interchange and

St Albans interchange, Eastern Cape

Gqeberha, 20 November 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) advises road users about the lane and shoulder closures being implemented on the N2 between Linton Grange and St Albans, where periodic road maintenance is currently underway.

The lane and shoulder closures will be in place until 15 December 2024.

There will be a minimum of two 24-hour lane closures on both the eastbound and westbound carriageways.

Mandatory speed reduction will be enforced to ensure safety and road users should be mindful of moving construction equipment along these closures.

“SANRAL appeals to all road users to adhere to warning signs, to reduce speed when approaching construction zones and to plan their trips accordingly,” said Kayakazi Mafuta, SANRAL’s Acting Southern Region Manager.

//Ends

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Changes to traffic flow at N2 Beacon Way intersection in Plettenberg Bay

Plettenberg Bay, 19 November 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced changes to the traffic flow through the construction works area at the Beacon Way Intersection on the N2 in Plettenberg Bay, for the last two weeks of November 2024. For the contractor to create a functioning circle ahead of the festive season, he needs to complete the laying of the asphalt road surface material on the newly constructed areas. To do so, the right-turn movement from Beacon Way onto the N2 will be closed intermittently. Road users affected in this way must exit Beacon Way, turning left and going uphill to the Marine Drive traffic circle where they can turn around and travel back on the N2 in an easterly directly. This disruption to the traffic flow will last for three to four days.

Apart from closing the right turn movement, some intermittent short-term lane closures on the N2 will be implemented during the next two weeks. “The aim is to have the traffic circle, although not completed in all respects, functioning as intended before the onset of the festive season,” said Renaldo Lorio, SANRAL Project Manager. The temporary road restraint systems, temporary signage and speed calming strips will remain on the N2 to reduce travelling speeds.

Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly and use alternative routes wherever possible.

Alternative Routes

• Road users going to Plettenberg Bay from Knysna should use the Marine Way entrance to move in and out.
• All road users leaving Plettenberg Bay, going to the malls in Beacon Way or moving in and out of Poortjies, should use Bowtie or other routes to get on to the N2.
• Heavy motor vehicles that supply the mall in Beacon Way should use Marine Drive for deliveries.

All road users are requested to be mindful of the impact of the construction, to reduce speed and obey temporary signage when travelling through the construction area. SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

//Ends