Blog

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL’s Contractor Development Programme strengthens pathways for black-owned businesses in construction

Caption: SANRAL’s Acting Head of Stakeholder Relations, Siphiwo Mxhosa facilitated questions from contractors attending the CDP session in Midrand, Gauteng

Midrand, 7 November 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has urged small- to medium-sized black-owned construction companies to take advantage of its new Contractor Development Programme (CDP).
SANRAL on Thursday engaged with more than 370 representatives of construction companies in Midrand, Gauteng, on the final leg of a countrywide roadshow which started in October.

SANRAL’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Lehlohonolo Memeza says the programme aims to improve the performance of grade 5CE to 9CE contractors registered with the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB). The programme also aims to increase the capacity of grade 5CE to 9CE contractors, as well as equity ownership, sustainability and quality of work produced. Through the CDP, SANRAL will create a unique platform for grade 5CE to 9CE contractors to maximise participation on its projects. The programme prioritises skills development, training, mentorship and financial support to address the challenge of ‘the missing middle’ CIDB grades.

“This is an important initiative which SANRAL is introducing to help black (African, Coloured and Indian) contractors to ultimately become main contractors on SANRAL’s construction and maintenance projects. Through this programme we intend to create an environment for black contractors to be competitive and grow,” said Memeza.

“This initiative is a vital step toward levelling the playing field, ensuring that opportunities for growth and development are accessible to all. Beyond engineering and technical work, we also aim to transform the full value chain by involving suppliers in road construction through the Black Industrialist Scheme.” she said.

SANRAL’s Acting Head of Stakeholder Relations, Siphiwo Mxhosa, said South Africa’s construction industry was one of the most important and biggest in the economy, and SANRAL would use the Contractor Development Programme to advance economic transformation.

“SANRAL recognises that it is in the best interest of our country that we embrace and advance transformation. This should not only be driven by SANRAL but by everyone in the industry. It is our intention to create balance and ensure that all of us, black and white, can share in the wealth of our country, specifically in the road construction industry,” said Mxhosa.

SANRAL’s Contractor Development Programme also aims to:
? Create a unique platform for CIDB grades 5 to 7 to maximise participation and skills development, addressing the challenge of ‘the missing middle’ CIDB grades;
? Include potentially emerging (PE) status in SANRAL’s tender documents;
? Develop a platform for recently upgraded CIDB grades 8 and 9 to participate in SANRAL projects, gaining necessary experience and support.
? Provide training, mentoring, financial and other forms of support to contractors participating in the programme.

Memeza noted that SANRAL was consulting stakeholders on the CDP and would present the document to the SANRAL Board later in November 2024.

“Once the board has approved the programme, we will then select qualifying entities to participate in the programme for a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years, which will be followed by an assessment for a further two years after exiting the programme,” said Memeza.

The selection criteria will be focussed on but not limited to:
• Entities that have been in business for 5 to 10 years
• Entities owned by the designated groups
• CIDB 5 – 7 (within limited national SOE project experience)
• CIDB 8 – 9 (within limited national SOE project experience)
• Entities that have successfully executed projects of their CIDB grading in the last 3 years
• Entities in good standing with SARS

Progress Hlahla, SANRAL’s Northern Region Manager said: “SANRAL is an agency entrusted with multi-billion-rand projects that shape South Africa’s infrastructure. To realise our transformation vision, we need grade 5CE to 9CE contractors to be at the heart of our projects, driving growth and innovation across the sector.”

“The CDP is about ensuring that these billions of rands are widely distributed. We also aim to change the perception of grade 5CE to 9CE contractors, encouraging them to see themselves as more than just subcontractors. Through other initiatives, such as the ‘Taking SANRAL to the People’ and information sessions, we also seek to develop grade 1CE to 4CE contractors, enabling them to join this program in the future. As our network expands from 24,384km to even more by 2030, with additional roads being handed over to SANRAL, contracting opportunities will be widely distributed,” said Hlahla.

//Ends
__________________________________________________________________
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

MEDIA RELEASE
Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa calls for patience as SANRAL aims for Mbokodweni River Bridge reopening by mid-December

Caption: (L-R) Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa and SANRAL CEO, Reginald Demana, inspecting damage to the Mbokodweni River Bridge in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal

Durban, 7 November 2024 – Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa has called for patience from road users as the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) undertakes emergency measures to repair the damaged Mbokodweni River Bridge on the N2 in KwaZulu-Natal.

Addressing members of the media, Hlengwa said, “We are calling for public patience as we respond to this crisis on the N2 south bound. SANRAL is doing preliminary work to assess the extent of the damage and a briefing will be given to the Minister in due course.”

“From the briefing I received from SANRAL, there will be two sets of interventions, that will be urgently undertaken, to lift the bridge up. The assurance we want to give is that there is no structural damage to the bridge. These are ‘wear and tear’ elements which have broken down and will require replacement. SANRAL’s technical team is currently assessing how quickly this can be done.”
“It is the intention of SANRAL to ensure that traffic flow resumes on this road within a period of three to four weeks, in time for December. In January SANRAL will undertake comprehensive repairs of the damage to the bridge. This carriageway is due for an upgrade by SANRAL during which further improvements will be made on this road.”

Deputy Minister Hlengwa was accompanied by a delegation from SANRAL that included the Board Chairperson, Themba Mhambi, CEO, Reginald Demana, Chief Construction Operations and Maintenance Engineer, Dumisani Nkabinde, and Acting Regional Manager for the Eastern Region, Dudley Mbambo, to assess the damage at the Mbokodweni River Bridge along the N2 in Durban on Thursday, 7 November, following damage sustained to the bridge on Monday, 4 November.

On that day, SANRAL promptly conducted an emergency inspection and recommended that the bridge be immediately closed to traffic until it is restored to meet safety standards.

According to SANRAL’s preliminary findings, the damage to the bridge resulted from the failure of span four of the bridge caused by the malfunctioning of its bearings, particularly the concrete rocker bearing on the east side, and the central bearings. These bearings, which support the bridge deck, are susceptible to excessive vibrations, such as seismic or earthquake loads, which can induce cracking and splitting.

Built over 64 years ago in the early 1960s, the Mbokodweni Bridge consists of six spans, with a total length of 137.16 meters. It carries the N2 southbound carriageway over the Mbokodweni River from Durban to Port Shepstone.

Over the bridge’s 64-year lifespan, the vibrations, along with potential age-related deterioration, likely caused spalling and cracking of the concrete. The deterioration would have exacerbated the corrosion of the reinforcement within the bearings, weakening them and ultimately leading to their failure.

A full inspection of the remaining bearings is being undertaken as all bearings on the bridge may need to be replaced due to their age and vulnerability. Challenges to the repair work include high-water levels and the ongoing wet season, which will impact access to the site. To manage this, SANRAL will do the work in two phases.

Phase one will involve temporary support for span four, lifting the bridge deck, installing temporary supports with rubber padding, and lowering the new temporary deck to the required road level to allow it to reopen by 13 December 2024, before the holiday season.
Phase two, expected to begin in January 2025, will entail the replacement of all bearings to prevent future failures and to ensure the continued functionality of the bridge. This phase will also address critical repairs, including the restrained cracking. Work will be planned to align with SANRAL’s long-term bridge upgrade plans and will be executed with temporary short-term traffic closures, either at night or on weekends.

Responding to questions around the safety of bridges across the country, SANRAL’s Acting Regional Manager for the Eastern Region, Dudley Mbambo, said, “We conduct regular inspections of all our structures, including bridges, as part of our bridge management system. The most recent assessments were completed in February this year for the entire country.” He added that the Mbokodweni River Bridge received 98% in its last assessment in February and that the bridge failure was due to wear and tear.
Mbambo explained that the technology for bridge construction has advanced since the 60s when concrete bearings with corroding steel bars were used, and that the steel bearings being currently used do not corrode.

SANRAL’s emergency procurement policy is being followed to appoint a competent contractor to attend to the works immediately. This section of the N2 forms part of SANRAL’s major upgrades, with the tender for Package 2 – upgrading of the N2 from Moss Kolnik Drive to Isipingo – due to be published soon.

The southbound carriageway of the N2 is currently closed and traffic accommodation has been established at the Joyner Road Interchange (Exit 146). Metro police and

Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officers are deployed at key intersections to direct traffic. SANRAL and the traffic law enforcement authorities are investigating other traffic management options.

“We recognise the inconvenience caused to road users and the public, especially as traffic has been rerouted through a residential area. We want to reassure everyone that this is a temporary inconvenience and that SANRAL will move with the necessary speed,” said Mbambo.

SANRAL has initiated a designated 24-hour Call Centre at its Traffic Management Centre (TMC) to address public enquires on 033 840 8484 or 073 837 0814.

An audio clip is available for download here: https://we.tl/t-uVfrFMzlvm
//Ends
Media Contact:
Lwando Mahlasela
SANRAL Media Relations Manager
082 440 5305

Collen Msibi
National Department of Transport Spokesperson
066 476 9015

UPDATED MEDIA ALERT

Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa to conduct inspection on the Ezimbokodweni River Bridge failure on the N2 in KwaZulu-Natal

Durban, 6 November 2024 – Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa will inspect the damage sustained to the Ezimbokodweni River Bridge on Monday, 5 November 2024. The bridge failure resulted in the closure of the southbound carriageway over the bridge and traffic being diverted to alternative routes.

The deputy minister will be meeting with SANRAL engineers to be appraised on the way forward and the remedial action to be taken.

Members of the media are invited to join the event and can use the details below:

Date: Thursday, 7 November 2024
Time: 14h00
Venue: Ezimbokodweni River Bridge
RSVP:
Zenzele Bam on 072 891 5290 or Lesedi Mbipha on 066 287 0266 or sanral@fticonsulting.com

Transport will be provided for local media and interviews will be conducted on site.

//Ends

Media Contact:

Collen Msibi
National Department of Transport Spokesperson – 066 476 9015
Lwando Mahlasela
SANRAL Media Relations Manager – 082 440 5305

MEDIA ALERT

Deputy Transport Minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa to conduct inspection on road rehabilitation

project and Vala Zonke activities in KwaMakhutha, KwaZulu-Natal

Durban, 6 November 2024 – The Deputy Minister of Transport, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, will inspect the rehabilitation project on M37 (P242) and then proceed to Main Road 197-1 project in KwaZulu-Natal where Operation Vala Zonke activities will take place. This Category B Road (interurban) extends from the M30 (Mangosuthu Highway) to KwaMakhutha.

The road provides access to Orient Hill Primary School, Orissa Primary School, Strelitzia Secondary School, Ekuhlengeni Psychiatric Hospital, Isipingo Hospital, Isipingo Civic Library and the local clinic.

Vala Zonke is the national pothole campaign, where SANRAL works with provinces and municipalities to improve the state of South Africa’s roads, through the patching and repair of potholes.

Members of the media are invited to join the event and can use the details below:

Date: Thursday, 7 November 2024
Time: 14h00
Venue: KwaMakhutha Sports Field
RSVP:
Zenzele Bam on 072 891 5290 or Lesedi Mbipha on 066 287 0266 or sanral@fticonsulting.com

Transport will be provided for local media and interviews will be conducted on site.

//Ends

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Road users asked to exercise caution as disruptive rain forecast for Nelson Mandela Bay Metro and snow on high grounds in parts of Eastern Cape

Gqeberha, 5 November 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) advises road users to exercise caution as disruptive rain – leading to flooding of settlements, roads and damage to infrastructure, is forecast for the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro today.

The South African Weather Service has issued a Level 5 warning of disruptive rain. Low-lying areas, susceptible settlements and roads across the metro can expect flooding.

Disruptive snowfall is expected on high grounds in the Eastern Cape. The Lootsberg Pass on the N9 between Graaff Reinet and Middelburg was closed earlier today due to heavy snowfall but has since been re-opened to traffic in both directions.
Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s Southern Region Manager, advised motorists to be cautious. “Heavy rain could result in flooding while damage to roads and bridges could also occur,” he said. “We also advise road users using mountain passes to obey instructions from traffic officials on the scene or delay travel if possible.”

//Ends
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

N2 southbound closed over Umbongintwini River Bridge failure in KwaZulu-Natal

Durban, 5 November 2024 – Following the heavy rains this past weekend in parts of KwaZulu Natal, the Umbongintwini River Bridge on the N2 experienced a failure which resulted in road closure, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“SANRAL specialist engineers are currently on site to assess the extent of the damage and remedial action to be taken. The Southbound carriageway over the bridge has been closed from Joiner Road and vehicles are being diverted to alternative routes. Motorists are advised to be cautious when approaching the site,” said Vusi Mona, SANRAL’s General Manager of Marketing and Communications.

Please click here to listen to GM: MarComms audio clip:

https://we.tl/t-aJiL11J0tH

//Ends

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Full closure to facilitate blasting between Ashburton and Market Road

Pietermaritzburg, 5 November 2024 – Part of the N3 will be fully closed on 10 December 2024, between 14h30 and 15h00 to facilitate blasting next to the existing Ashburton Overpass Bridge. This work will be undertaken as part of the N3 Section 3 Upgrade Project from Market Road and the Ashburton offramp, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

Closures will also be necessary on Pope Ellis Drive at the Ashburton intersection and R103 to Ashburton interchange as they are in the vicinity of the blasting activities.

The full road closures are proposed to take place as follows:

10 December (Tuesday):
14h30 to 14h45: Close N3 and other listed roads and blast.
14h45 to 14h55: Clean up any debris on all roads.
14h55 to 15h00 : Final Road Safety Inspection.
15h00: Re-open N3 and other listed roads for all vehicles.

The R103 route will be available as an alternative route during the blast. Substantial delays may, however, be experienced as the N3 will be closed during the period of the blast.

“The contractor’s traffic accommodation team, with support from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) will oversee traffic management activities throughout the blasting activity.” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

The closure may need to be adjusted depending on the weather conditions on the day. If that happens, an updated notice with information about the new time will be issued.

“Motorists are urged to remain patient during disruptions caused by the construction and are advised to plan and adjust their routes while adhering to speed limits. SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused and appreciates the public’s patience during the ongoing major road enhancements.” said Lowe.

Blasting Locations:

Km 3+800 North Bound Between Ashburton and Market Road.

Alternative Routes:

Figure 1: Alternative Route for Blasting.

NOTE: Ashburton/Pope Ellis will be closed for blasting, traffic will be directed via the R103 route. The traffic will be allowed to take the Market Road offramp to the N3 Mainline as shown in Figure 1 above in red.

//Ends

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Blasting on the N2 Sections 13 and 14 between Makhanda and Fish River Pass

Gqeberha, 4 November 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has notified road users that the N2 will be intermittently closed between Makhanda (Grahamstown) and the Fish River Pass due to blasting operations taking place between the 4th and 28th of November 2024.

Blasting operations are planned for the following dates:

• Monday, 4 November 2024
• Thursday, 7 November 2024
• Monday, 11 November 2024
• Thursday, 14 November 2024
• Monday, 18 November 2024
• Thursday, 21 November 2024
• Monday, 25 November 2024
• Thursday, 28 November 2024

The road will be closed on these days from 15h00, for a maximum period of one hour up to 16h00, to allow sufficient time for cleaning the existing N2 and making it safe for the travelling public.

Motorists travelling westwards between East London or Qonce (King William’s Town) and Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) may consider using the following alternative route:

• From East London, follow the R72 to Port Alfred and Kenton-on-Sea through to Nanaga, turn left onto the N2 and continue on to Gqeberha.

Motorists travelling eastwards between Gqeberha and Qonce or East London may consider using the following alternative route:

• From Gqeberha, follow the N2 to Nanaga, turn right onto the R72 at the junction at Nanaga and travel via Alexandria and Port Alfred to East London.
• From East London, turn left onto the N2 and travel westwards through to Qonce.

“We urge motorists to plan their trips, consider alternative routes and drive carefully. We apologise for any inconvenience,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s Southern Region Manager.

//Ends

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

N3 full closure to facilitate blasting between Ashburton offramp and Market Road

Pietermaritzburg, 30 October 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to inform the public of the planned full road closure of the N3 to facilitate blasting next to the existing Ashburton Overpass Bridge. This work will be undertaken as part of the N3 Section 3 Upgrade Project from Market Road and the Ashburton offramp.

The closure will take place on Tuesday, 5 November 2024 between 14h30 and 15h00.

The Pope Ellis Drive at the Ashburton intersection and the R103 to Ashburton interchange will also be closed during this time as they are in the vicinity of the blasting activities.

Below are the times for the planned full road closures (Tuesday, 5 November):
14h30 to 14h45: Close N3 and other listed roads, and blast
14h45 to 14h55: Clean up any debris on all roads
14h55 to 15h00: Final Road Safety Inspection
15h00               : Reopen N3 and other listed roads for all vehicles

Traffic will be directed via the R103 route and allowed to take the Market Road offramp to the N3 Mainline as an alternative route during the blast. Substantial delays may however be experienced as the N3 will be closed during the period of the blast.

“The contractor’s traffic accommodation team, with support from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), will oversee traffic management activities throughout the blasting activity,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

The closure may need to be adjusted depending on weather conditions on the day. A second notice with updated information of the new time will be issued should that be necessary.
“Motorists are advised to plan and adjust their routes for the duration of the closure and encourages adherence to the rules of the road. SANRAL appreciates your patience throughout the ongoing major road enhancements,” said Lowe.

Blasting Locations:

Km 3+800 North Bound Between Ashburton and Market Road.

Alternative Routes:

Figure 1: Alternative Route for Blasting.

NOTE: Ashburton/Pope Ellis will be closed for blasting, traffic will be directed via the R103 route. The traffic will be allowed to take the Market Road offramp to the N3 Mainline as shown in Figure 1 above in red.

//Ends