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MEDIA STATEMENT

More Free State provincial roads declared national roads to fall under SANRAL

Caption: From left to right: Fezile Dabi Executive Mayor Cllr Dennis Khasudi, Thandeka Ngema (SANRAL Eastern Region Acting Stakeholder Relations Coordinator); Acting Premier of Free State Jabu Mbalula; Kwanele Ncalane (Eastern Region Stakeholder Coordinator) and Sipho Khoza (SANRAL Eastern Region Project Engineer) posing for a photograph at the Taking SANRAL to the people’s engagement held in Trompsburg.

Free State, 4 December 2024 – Over 670 kilometres of provincial roads in the Free State have been declared national roads, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

SANRAL made the announcement during a Taking SANRAL to the People stakeholder engagement session held in Trompsburg in the Xhariep District Municipality on Tuesday, 3 December 2024.

The Government Gazette, published on 22 November 2024 (Gazette 51639), reported that the newly incorporated roads would now fall under SANRAL’s management.

Acting Regional Manager for SANRAL’s Eastern Region, Dudley Mbambo, said: “Incorporating the 674 kilometres of provincial roads into SANRAL’s national road network is a crucial step towards enhancing South Africa’s transport infrastructure.”

Mbambo said by integrating these roads into its national network, SANRAL could “ensure a more cohesive, efficient and safer transportation system that supports economic growth, job creation and regional development. This alignment will also facilitate better access to essential services, improve logistics and foster greater regional connectivity – all of which are essential for driving national progress”.

These provincial roads form vital links between rural areas, urban centres and key economic hubs – including Lesotho. Road P92 Section 1 goes right up to the South Africa and Lesotho international border at the Caledonspoort Border Post.

“These areas are the lifeblood of our agricultural economy and as SANRAL, we have to ensure continuous road upgrades and maintenance, which enables farmers and rural communities to transport their goods, services and produce to the markets on roads that are safe to use,” said Mbambo.

Mbambo said this was a significant step towards alleviating pressure on the province and making roads safer. “The upgrades to these road corridors will provide a massive boost to the economy of the region and will greatly increase the road capacity in the area,” he said.

SANRAL aims to provide a comprehensive view of its operations in the region, including current and upcoming projects and transformation in the construction industry. Through its Taking SANRAL to the People programme, the roads agency shared details about its vital role in infrastructure development, job creation and skills development initiatives.

“SANRAL would like to encourage a dialogue with the communities to ensure smooth running of our projects and eliminate any possible problems. We would not like any of you to stop any of our projects because of unhappiness. We are working with government to fight the scourge of unemployment and there will be several job opportunities for the community from these projects,” said SANRAL’s Acting Stakeholder Relations Coordinator in the Eastern Region, Thandeka Ngema.

“SANRAL also wants to equip the SMMEs with skills with our pre-tender training that has been going on for a couple of years. The community will have these skills long after the project has finished,” Ngema added.

Acting Premier of the Free State, Jabu Mbalula, provided a message of support for the engagement and welcomed SANRAL’s continued investment in the province.

“We want to make Free State a construction site. As government, we are working on a developmental approach. When SANRAL is building a road in Xhariep, the people in that area must benefit directly. In that way, we are not only building a road but building a community,” said the Acting Premier.

SANRAL used this session to inform SMMEs on how they could benefit from the recently incorporated roads. An emergency projects contractor will be appointed for six months before a permanent service provider takes over the incorporated roads.

The supply chain management (SCM) instruction note provides the procedure to be followed for procurement of goods, services or works on an emergency or urgent case basis.

“Emergency case means a serious and unexpected situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or environment which calls for urgent action and there is insufficient time to follow a competitive bidding process,” Sipho Khoza, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Engineer explained.

The roads agency is no stranger to the province as it has handled road construction projects in the past. The upgrading of the N6 from Rouxville to Smithfield brought about local job creation and opportunities to implement programmes around skills development and empowerment.

Mbambo said the multimillion-rand N6 project further displayed SANRAL’s “commitment to giving economic development opportunities to SMMEs and the creation of employment opportunities for local community members”.

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MEDIA RELEASE

Introduction of SANRAL road development projects lauded by Buffalo City Metro

Caption: BCM Mayor Princess Faku and her team at the Project Introduction in East London

East London, 1 December 2024 – The mayor of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Councillor Princess Faku, has welcomed the introduction of two road projects, as fostering socio-economic growth, not only in the metro but also in the Eastern Cape.

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) recently introduced the projects to the municipal leadership including the Mayor, Municipal Manager, MMC for Infrastructure and Ward Councillors in the East London City Hall.

The first project involves the dualling of the N2 from the end of the Freeway near Gonubie River to Brakfontein Interchange, a distance of 5.4 km. The project forms part of the N2 Wild Coast Road development project, which links East London to Port Edward on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast.

Assistant Design Specialist from GIBB Engineering, Quinten Cloete, said the Gonubie River bridge will be affected by the development.

“The existing Brakfontein bridge will also have to be reconfigured in order for dual carriageways on both sides to be constructed under it. Underpasses connecting various settlements and farms have also been investigated.”

A pedestrian analysis was done to establish how community members can safely cross the N2 from the settlements in Brakfontein.

The concept design report is complete and under review. It will be submitted to SANRAL in early December. “The actual implementation by the contractor will take place in 2027, due to the amount of work involved in the design phase, especially the structures,” he said.

The 5.6 km dualling from N6 Ducats to Nahoon Interchange includes additional lanes with minimum structural design, a 5m median and two sidewalks on both sides to enhance road safety.

There is a proposal for changes in respect of the N6 and R72 on-ramps to the N2 in Abbosford due to peak traffic congestion. The awarding of the contract for this project is expected to happen in late 2026 to early 2027.

Mayor Faku was grateful for the projects, despite having to wait almost two years for their start dates.

“We are indeed excited, these are huge projects which will create more job opportunities for our people and will build better roads for our pedestrians and public transport users. More projects will be announced by SANRAL in the coming months. We’ve seen the beautiful Breidbach Interchange which is complete, the current R63 development near Qonce and now these new projects also in the Buffalo City Metro,” said Faku.

SANRAL completed two major projects in the metro this year: the Breidbach/Belstone Interchanges and the N2 Green River project near Qonce, worth close to R1 billion.

SANRAL Stakeholder Relations Coordinator, Welekazi Ndika, said there would be engagements with stakeholders to create awareness and to prevent land invasions of road reserves.

“We will establish Project Liaison Committees (PLCs) and we will need stakeholders to be in the PLC to assist with community needs like pedestrian crossings, material sourcing and cattle underpasses for farming areas. We will need a team from the metro, like planning and housing, to guide us where there is land acquisition involved,” noted Ndika.

The mayor added that people should feel part of these developments as they have been oppressed for too long.

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MEDIA RELEASE

Changes in banking systems give road users more reasons to take up a tag and reduce

congestion at toll plazas

Pretoria, 28 November 2024 – As changes to several banking systems come into effect, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is encouraging road users to obtain a tag ahead of the festive season holidays to assist in reducing congestion at the busy toll plazas across the country.

“The holiday season means significantly more traffic on the national road network as people travel to visit family, friends and holiday destinations. Changes to banking systems and potential technical challenges – including delayed/slow processing due to volumes – could have major implications for road users trying to pass through busy toll plazas, especially when their only payment option is a bank card,” said Vusi Mona, SANRAL spokesperson.

The tag offers road users the opportunity for faster processing through toll plazas as tag lanes are more efficient. Tags can be used for payment at toll plazas and selected parking lots across the country and have no connection to the recently scrapped e-tolls.

“Some motorists were labouring under the impression that their historic debt would be offset against any funds loaded onto their tag. However, this is not the case. That debt has been ring-fenced. Any funds loaded onto the tag is a fresh start and has nothing to do with any historic e-toll debt,” said Mona.

Mona explained that there were multiple convenient ways to obtain, load or fund the tag through the mobility account to ensure that road users were not caught wanting at toll plazas.

The tag therefore remains the simplest and most efficient way to pay and can be obtained in any of the following ways:

• SANRAL Mobile App (available on Android, IOS or Huawei)
• SANRAL Customer Service Centres, located along the Gauteng freeways
• Selected mainline toll plazas across South Africa
• Self Service Terminals (SST)
• Online at www.mobilityaccount.sanral.co.za.
• Email: info@mobilityaccount.sanral.co.za
• Call Centre 0800 726 725

Tags ordered via the SANRAL App, online, via email or from the Call Centre are delivered to the road user’s door within three to five days.

The SSTs are located at convenient locations on all major routes in South Africa. These terminals provide road users with the following functionalities:

1. Access to their registered SANRAL account
2. Ability to register a new SANRAL account
3. Ability to obtain a tag from the terminal and link the tag to the account
4. Perform basic management of the account, like adding funds, adding and removing vehicles, updating key user information etc.

The full list of locations where SSTs are available is on the SANRAL website – https://mobilityaccount.sanral.co.za

The tag can be loaded and topped up in any of the following ways:

Manual options that reflect on your account immediately:

• On the SANRAL Mobile App downloaded from your mobile app store (Android, IOS or Huawei)
• Online, through the SANRAL website, https://mobilityaccount.sanral.co.za
• At selected Mainline toll plazas across South Africa
• At an SST device

Manual options that reflect on your account up to five days after a payment is made:

• Electronic funds transfer (EFT)
• At participating retailers, Pick n Pay and Checkers
• At any advanced FNB ATM which has a note accepting facility

 Automatic:

• You may link the topping up of your mobility account to your credit card or through direct debit
• Once the low balance threshold is reached, the account will be topped up automatically to a balance as determined by you either by your credit card or through debit order.

“We will continue to expand opportunities for road users to obtain a tag swiftly and conveniently. A tag currently costs R50 and upon registration, R50 credit is loaded onto the tag, which effectively renders it free of charge,” said Mona.

As road users prepare for long distance travel, SANRAL appeals for compliance, vigilance and commitment to road safety. Using a tag to reduce queuing time at toll plazas is a great way to reduce frustration so that everyone enjoys their travels this holiday.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Routine road maintenance on N2 Nanaga interchange towards Makhanda-

KwaMaqoma intersection, Eastern Cape

Gqeberha, 28 November 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to inform road users of planned routine road maintenance on the N2 National Road from the Nanaga Interchange towards the Makhanda/ KwaMaqoma (formerly Fort Beaufort intersection).

The maintenance schedule is:

• Friday, 29 November 2024
• Wednesday, 4 December 2024
• Thursday, 5 December 2024
• Friday, 6 December 2024

All routine road maintenance for the above dates will take place between 09h00 and 15h00.

To ensure the smooth execution of the planned maintenance, traffic accommodation measures will be in place with work carried out in a single direction at a time. Milling operations and the deployment of specialist machinery will be concentrated along a 5km stretch of the N2 Section 12.

These measures are designed to prioritise the safety of all road users. Motorists travelling between Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) should anticipate minor delays during this period.

“Motorists are requested to plan their journeys accordingly and exercise caution when traveling through the affected areas,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Road users advised of N2 KwaMashu to Umdloti upgrades and road closures

Durban, 28 November 2024 – A temporary slow lane closure on the N2 south of Mount Edgecombe interchange is scheduled for Sunday, 1 December 2024 to allow for pothole repairs, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The slow lane will be closed to traffic on Sunday, 1 December 2024 on the N2 northbound carriageway from the north of the KwaMashu Interchange until the Mount Edgecombe Interchange between 07h00 and 13h00. This closure will affect the northbound traffic only,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Specialist Geometrics Engineer.

Drivers are encouraged to consider the M4 and R102 as alternative routes, or to delay their travel over this time.
“The recent high volume of rain has caused noticeable deterioration to the slow lane. To prevent the formation of potholes and provide a better driving experience for road users, the contractor will mill out the old and pave back new asphalt. The fast and middle lanes will remain open and the southbound carriageway remains fully open,” Lowe explained.

Lowe said SANRAL understood the negative impact this will have on the travelling public due to the congestion it will cause.
He said, “To limit the impact, we are conducting the work during the hours of least traffic and in the shortest possible time. SANRAL appeals to road users to note and comply with the advance warning signs and speed restrictions when travelling towards and through the construction work zone.

“Delays are expected; thus all motorists are urged to be patient and courteous to their fellow drivers. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and appreciate the public’s patience during the ongoing major road enhancements.”

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Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf of SANRAL. For editorial content or additional information contact Lwando Mahlasela on 082 440 5305 or pressoffice@nra.co.za

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.

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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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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