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Detour available to accommodate motorists while construction work continues on the N2 between Makhanda and Peddie

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY:

Detour available to accommodate motorists while construction work continues on the N2 between Makhanda and Peddie

Eastern Cape, 18 July 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is notifying travellers of a detour to accommodate traffic while construction continues on the N2 between Makhanda and Peddie.

About 3km of the N2 Section 14 between Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) and Peddie – from the Fish River Bridge (km 0.0) and ending at the Fish River Pass (km 2.7) – will be closed to traffic for construction on the N2 until the end of November 2024.

However, traffic will be accommodated on an adjacent detour, namely the Pikoli by-pass. It runs for approximately 2.7km around the N2 Fish River Pass before returning to the N2 roadway. A travelling delay time of approximately 10 minutes can be anticipated while the detour is in operation.

Motorists travelling westwards between East London or Qonce (formerly King Williams Town) and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) should consider using the following alternative route:

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

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

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

    “Motorists are requested to plan their trips, accordingly, consider alternative routes and use caution when making use of the by-pass,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.

    SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

 

President Ramaphosa and Minister Chikunga inspect R37 upgrade in Sekhukhune District

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MEDIA RELEASE

President Ramaphosa and Minister Chikunga inspect R37 upgrade in Sekhukhune District

Limpopo, 16 July 2022 – “Construction of projects such as the R37 upgrade supports the country’s plan to build a new economy and unleash South Africa’s infrastructure potential while contributing to the economic reconstruction, and the upliftment of local communities, by driving project participation opportunities for small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).”

This was Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga’s comment while inspecting progress on this major SANRAL project. She was accompanying President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of the Presidential Imbizo taking place in Ga-Motodi Village in Limpopo province.

The R37 national road between Burgersfort and Polokwane is set for successful completion. It is being upgraded from a single lane into a dual carriageway in each direction. The R780-million project is due to be completed in October 2023 and is one of the key projects rolled out by the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL).

An integral part of SANRAL’s Transformation Policy is prioritising economic development opportunities for black-owned businesses as well as job creation for local labour on all its national road projects.

“This means that 30% of every contract is sub-contracted to SMMEs to empower and grow local small businesses. In addition, SMMEs working with SANRAL are also afforded various skills development and training benefits for the duration of their subcontract,” said Progress Hlahla, SANRAL Northern Region Manager.

“The 25-kilometre project is part of the 18 SANRAL-led rehabilitation projects in the Sekhukhune District Municipality. Some of these projects are in design phase while others are under construction,” he added.

Minister Chikunga is happy with the progress of R37 national road upgrade, and is pleased that priority is given to black-owned SMMEs that have not done business with SANRAL in the past.

Approximately 400 local labourers are employed on this project, while more than R160-million has been allocated for SMMEs, including those owned by youth, women and people living with disabilities.

The project upgrades were informed by the increasing traffic volumes between Polokwane and Burgersfort. SANRAL also announced that lighting will be part of the upgrades as this forms part of road safety. Additionally, the existing single-carriageway road will be improved, and new intersections will be established by building six roundabouts at major intersections.

The project’s scope also includes building sidewalks from intersections to bus bays, the construction of two new bridges and the widening of another bridge.

 

SWITCHOVER AND TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE ALONG THE CAMPERDOWN INTERCHANGE

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

SWITCHOVER AND TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURE ALONG THE CAMPERDOWN INTERCHANGE

KWAZULU-NATAL – 15 July 2023: Traffic will be diverted at the Camperdown Interchange from the southbound carriageway to the newly constructed northbound carriageway on the evening of 17 July 2023.

This will allow the reconstruction of the southbound carriageway to begin, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The construction of a temporary off-ramp for southbound traffic to exit the highway at Camperdown Interchange is a requirement. Unfortunately, for the safety of the travelling public and the workers, this work cannot be completed without temporarily closing the existing off-ramp,” said Thabiso Dladla, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager. “The off-ramp at Camperdown for southbound traffic will therefore be closed from 8:00pm on 17 July 2023 until 1:00am on 20 July 2023.”

The switching of southbound traffic that includes temporary lane closures will be carried out from 8:00pm on Monday, 17 July 2023 and the temporary off-ramp will be opened as soon as completed and safe to do so.

“The upgrade will include lighting along the 6.4km stretch. The R103 provincial road, which runs next to the N3, will also be upgraded between the outer limits of the contract. A new section of the R103 is being constructed alongside the N3 on the southern side between the Camperdown Interchange and the existing R103 overpass just south of Camperdown Interchange,” Dladla added.

The speed limit along the route has been reduced to 80km/h to improve safety for the construction team and road users. Temporary lane closures, which can be expected at night, will be in place to allow construction vehicles to safely enter and exit the work zone.

“Delays are expected because of the reduced speed limit. Motorists are urged to plan their trips carefully and be vigilant along the road during their travels,” said Dladla. “We further appeal to road users to adhere to the road signs and speed limit when approaching and travelling through the construction site.”

SANRAL apologises for the inconvenience caused to motorists and would like to thank road users for their patience.

 

N2 Wild Coast Road Political Oversight Committee concludes two-day oversight visit

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Media Release
N2 Wild Coast Road Political Oversight Committee concludes two-day oversight visit

Robert Haswell (SANRAL Board); Thamsanqa Mathosa (SANRAL Board); Themba Mhambi (SANRAL Board Chair); MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Ntombovuyo Nkopane; MEC for Transport, Safety & Liaison, Xolile Nqatha; Winnie Madikizela-Mandela Mayor, Cllr Daniswa Mafumbatha;

Eastern Cape, 15 July 2023: The Eastern Cape MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison, Mr Xolile Nqatha, with the Political Oversight Committee (POC) of the N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) project, have concluded a two-day oversight visit to the venture.
N2WCR POC members – including the MEC for Public Works & Infrastructure, Executive Mayor of O.R. Tambo District Municipality, Mayors of Ingquza Hill, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Port St Johns local municipalities, SANRAL Board members, and the SANRAL CEO – accompanied MEC Nqatha on a two-day programme that took place from 13 to 14 July in Lusikisiki.

The three-pronged programme entailed a debrief session where the POC presented a report on its oversight work at an engagement session at the Lusikisiki Resource Centre. This was followed by a visit to the Msikaba Bridge construction site to assess progress being made on the project on Thursday. The third leg of the programme entailed an engagement session with local key stakeholders, including affected traditional leadership, women in business, business forums and N2WCR Project Liaison Committee (PLC) members.

“We are assessing progress made since our last visit in October 2022. When we met stakeholders, there were many issues raised by traditional leaders and the local business fraternity. Today I’m happy with the progress we’ve seen in addressing those concerns. I’ve forwarded the report to the Premier of the province. I’m excited with the progress made,” said MEC Nqatha.

“I am thankful for the role played by the SANRAL Board, the technical team and management under the leadership of the CEO. Msikaba Bridge is a state-of-the-art bridge. We are confident the whole country and continent will be envious. This part of the country will never be the same due to the socio-economic benefits of this project. Jobs have been created, locals have been trained in skills they did not have before. And, a concerted effort has been made for localisation, in some instances going beyond the 30% minimum subcontracting requirement,” Nqatha added.

There are also legacy projects in the pipeline, including the access roads, that SANRAL is constructing in the area to improve access to amenities and the living conditions of local communities.
SANRAL Board Chair, Mr Themba Mhambi, said it was SANRAL’s intent to deliver world-class road infrastructure to the people of the Eastern Cape and to ensure a significant portion of the economic benefits derived during the road construction be directed to SMMEs within the affected local and district municipalities.

Alluding to the integral role of a consultative and intergovernmental approach to the N2WCR road infrastructure development, Nqatha said, “It is clear there is no substitute for consultation and social facilitation. This is the route to go to ensure the smooth running of the project. We can learn from the Mtentu Bridge stoppage, which had a budget of R1.6-billion in 2019 but is now costing an already constrained government fiscal R4-billion after being retendered.”

Nqatha said it was “a lesson for us as leaders and communities that there is no reason to stop projects when we have concerns. It is important that we bring our concerns to the table because all of us want this bridge and all of us want roads. We can discuss our grievances but work must continue so that we are not affected by cost escalations and unnecessary delays which are costly to the very communities because with work stoppage comes loss of income.”

SANRAL CEO, Mr Reginald Demana, said: “The social facilitation work of the POC is important to the success of the N2 Wild Coast project; let’s continue to work together to successfully complete the project.”

Stakeholders appreciated the interventions made thus far to resolve some of their grievances.
The Mayor of Ingquza Hill Local Municipality, Cllr Nonkosi Pepping, urged the stakeholders to ensure their prerequisite paperwork was in order to enable participation in the N2WCR project. “You must also play your part by being compliant so as to be able to benefit from this development,” she said.

Chairperson Mhambi added that transformation is a top priority for the SANRAL Board. “We are committed to realising significant participation by designated groups and targeted enterprises in all our projects in line with government’s black economic empowerment policy,” he said. “R4-billion of the N2 Wild Coast Road project has been set aside for the local community through subcontracting, job opportunities, and skills development training.”

Lwandile Gcume, of the Wild Coast Business Forum, said the local business fraternity appreciated the project’s impact “particularly in this unfavourable economic climate. We also urge for political intervention to address the potential delay that could be caused by the Amadiba group insisting on an alternative route”.
Sigqibo Notshaya from the Ingquza Hill Business Chamber welcomed the economic injection made by SANRAL into the Wild Coast economy and imparted advice to the local community: “I want to urge for peace among the people of Pondololand to unite to ensure the successful implementation of this project. It is all in our hands,” he said.

The stakeholders rallied behind the project and have expressed appreciation of the beneficiation realised thus far.
Nkosi Sonwabile Jama of KwaKhanyayo Village in Flagstaff, where the Mtentu Bridge is being constructed, cautioned locals from interrupting the project. “Let us ensure that any differences we have are resolved via dialogue,” he said. “We are happy now that the Mtentu Bridge contract has resumed and with participation of the local SMMEs and community.”

About the N2 Wild Coast Road project

The N2 Wild Coast Road project entails a 410km stretch of road from East London to the Mtamvuna River on the border of Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. While the project has been underway since 2011, construction on the major greenfield portion of the route between Port St Johns and Port Edward only started in 2016.

The project is endorsed by the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC) as a catalyst for economic development in the region. It is a major project for the province and forms part of government’s 18 Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPS). The N2WCR is SIP3, South-Eastern node and Corridor Development, with the key purpose being to serve as a catalyst to uplift economic growth in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

The project also consists of two mega bridges, at Mtentu and Msikaba. There are also seven additional major river bridges and several interchange bridges that form part of the project.
The socio-economic impact of the N2WCR Project offers a significant economic injection for local communities. The minimum 30% expenditure earmarked for targeted enterprise subcontractors and suppliers will result in over R4-billion flowing to SMMEs, the majority of which will be from the O.R. Tambo and Alfred Nzo district municipalities.

Construction work will create approximately 8 000 direct full-time employment (FTE) jobs, with a wage bill of roughly R750-million, and between 21 300 and 28 100 indirect jobs. Once the road is completed, ongoing operational work is anticipated to create 900 direct jobs and up to 18 900 indirect jobs.

Road closure on the N2 between Makhanda and Peddie

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY:
Road closure on the N2 between Makhanda and Peddie

Eastern Cape, 14 July 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is notifying travellers that about 3km of the N2 Section 14 between Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) and Peddie – from the Fish River Bridge (km 0.0) and ending at the Fish River Pass (km 2.7) – will be closed to traffic for construction on the N2. This will take place from Monday, 17 July 2023 until the end of November 2024.

Traffic will be accommodated on an adjacent detour, namely the Pikoli by-pass, for approximately 2.7km around the N2 Fish River Pass before returning to the N2 roadway. A travelling delay time of approximately 10 minutes can be anticipated while the detour is in operation.

Motorists travelling westwards between East London or Qonce (formerly King Williams Town) and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) should consider using the following alternative route:

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

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

  • From Gqeberha, follow the N2 to Nanaga and turn right onto the R72 at the junction at Nanaga and travel on via Alexandria and Port Alfred to East London.
  • From East London, turn left onto the N2 and travel westwards through to Qonce.
    “Motorists are requested to plan their trips, accordingly, consider alternative routes and use caution

    when making use of the by-pass,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager. SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

 

SANRAL more than doubles value of tenders awarded in 2022/23

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The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) awarded 320 tenders to the value of R51 billion in the 2022/23 financial year, significantly up from the R22 billion of tenders awarded in the preceding year.

In addition, a further 12 contracts of above R750 million each were awarded after the SANRAL Board reviewed the submissions as part of its oversight role. The Board notes and reviews any tender with a value of R750 million and above. The total value of these is R28 billion, of which the last four, awarded on 31 March, are split between KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

In line with SANRAL’s commitment to economic transformation, at least 30% of the contract value of each tender will be subcontracted to small, medium-sized and micro enterprises (SMMEs). This effectively ensures that at least R18 billion will go to SMMEs located in the various communities in which the projects will be implemented.

Through these awards the Roads Agency continues on a positive trajectory to drive economic recovery, which is part of the broader national effort by government to invest in economic infrastructure.

Such significant awards enable SANRAL to respond to the triple challenge of poverty, unemployment and inequality across South Africa, as large-scale job creation, skills development and knowledge transfer are key elements of economic development.

Further, SANRAL remains driven to break down monopolies and ensure meaningful transformation that changes people’s lives for the better.

SANRAL Chairperson Themba Mhambi

“Our transformation efforts go beyond facilitating access to black-owned businesses. We want them to participate, grow and prosper,” said SANRAL Chairperson Themba Mhambi.

To this end, SANRAL has also embarked on an extensive training and capacity-building campaign targeting more than 40,000 SMMEs over a three-year period, to teach them how to submit compliant, competitive and profitable tenders.

Update on the N3 Ashburton Interchange

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The Ashburton Interchange project is part of SANRAL’s larger N2 and N3 upgrade programmes, and the scope of work stretches across the Msunduzi, eThekwini and Mkhambathini Municipalities.

It is aimed at bolstering the capacities of South Africa’s economic arteries from the port city of Durban to the rest of the country and continent, in line with government’s Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs).

The N3 programme between Cato Ridge and the Ashburton Interchange commenced in January 2021 and is expected to be completed in eight years.

The N3 between Durban and Pietermaritzburg carries between
45,000 and 120,000 vehicles per day, with a mix of urban commuter traffic, regional (long-distance) traffic and around 9,500 heavy vehicles using the route every day.

The highway carries over 70 million tonnes of freight per year. With planned expansion of the existing Port of Durban, and substantial regional economic activity and strategic planned developments, these numbers are expected to increase.

There are a total of 15 work packages on the N3 programme, with an estimated construction value of R29 billion. R2.3 billion will be spent on local labour wages, with 33,500 jobs expected to be created. R8.8 billion will be spent on targeted black-owned enterprises.

The project entails expansion from four to six and eight lanes on the Camperdown to Ashburton Interchanges respectively, and is aimed at resolving chronic traffic congestion and providing higher mobility, increased safety and a reduction in travel time.

It also comes as a boon to Msunduzi Municipality, which has a 34.2% unemployment rate according to the State of Cities Report.

Msunduzi Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebola said: “We are very grateful for this development taking place in Msunduzi. It is a much-needed facelift to our municipality. We have already started to reap the benefits. We have seen the start of development of industries in the area for this project and our local people finding employment there,” said Thebola.

FACT FILE

SANRAL’s R2.4 billion N3 Ashburton Interchange project is expected to be completed in August 2026. Here is a quick overview of what the mammoth project involves:

  • The main design on the interchange covers the reconstruction and upgrade of the existing N3 northbound and southbound carriageways from a two-lane configuration plus climbing lane to a four-lane configuration plus climbing lanes.
  • Interchange improvements to ramps and crossroads, including structures.
  • Bridges along this section will be lengthened.
  • Auxiliary lanes at the on- and off-ramps will be constructed on the outer edges of the existing carriageways.
  • Work on the alternative route (R103) needs to be completed before reducing lane widths on the N3.
  • The R103 upgrade and rehabilitation is expected to take about 10 months, covering approximately 7km.
  • Within this 7km, the section from Pope Ellis Drive to CB Downes Drive will be widened to accommodate a cycle lane, as well as a climbing lane over a 3km section.
  • This upgrade will also include work on the Comrades Marathon route on the famous Polly Shorts stretch.
  • Pope Ellis Drive will be expanded from the current two lanes to four lanes (two in each direction) and sidewalks.
  • The existing Ashburton bridge will be demolished and a new bridge built to accommodate the wider highway.
  • The existing Cleland Overpass bridge will be demolished and not replaced.
  • Median barriers are to be constructed.
  • The entire existing Ashburton Interchange will be reconstructed, with all ramps constructed to SANRAL’s minimum geometric requirements.
  • There will be major shale-cutting on both sides of the N3, with excavation and possible blasting to create the additional space required for the new configuration of the N3.
  • An Umgeni Water pipeline will need to be relocated, and this process is expected to take six months.
  • The N3 programme execution phase commenced in January 2021 on the three packages between Cato Ridge and the Ashburton Interchange, almost midway on the N3 between Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Empowering woman-owned SMMEs

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With the help of SANRAL, Simphiwe Mhlongo has paved the way to a better life for her loved ones and the 11 employees of her company, by procuring work on the N3 Ashburton Interchange and the associated R103 Pope Ellis Drive upgrades. Mhlongo, 40, from Lynnfield Park, near Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, was barely making ends meet as an events coordinator before she got involved with a cement manufacturing company and formed Sister’s Brain Construction with assistance from South African Women in Construction. She is now a subcontractor to MMP Contractors, responsible for some of major road upgrades in the country, and Rumdel Construction, a multi-disciplinary civil engineering construction company. Mhlongo said “The best part is that the workers are from the area. This means that locals are getting a chance to uplift themselves. It’s a real blessing to them, as well as to me.”

SANRAL transforms and uplifts the lives of small business owners

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Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) from various towns in Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State can now confidently submit tender documents when tendering for construction contracts, thanks to an innovative transformation initiative by SANRAL.

At the Ferdi Meyer Hall in Welkom recently, 180 graduates of a 22-day SANRAL SMME skills development pre-tender training programme proudly accepted their certificates, and said they were looking forward to using the invaluable knowledge gained during the training.

The training – which places special focus on uplifting designated groups (women, youth, military veterans, people with disabilities and CIDB lower grade contractors) – comprised basic literacy and numeracy, and understanding how to run a successful contracting business and how to develop and submit competitive, yet profitable and compliant tenders.

The certificates were handed out by SANRAL Eastern Region Transformation Officer James Takalo, who reiterated that one of the main intentions of the training was to prepare SMMEs to bid for tenders. “Local businesses from the Matjhabeng area took advantage of this opportunity to participate in the pre-tendering course, which will help them to bid for opportunities that may arise.

JAMES TAKALO SANRAL’s Eastern Region Transformation Officer addressing the SMMEs on the first day of training

“The pre-tender training contract was awarded to ACS/Tjeka JV in 2022 for the duration of three years, and the training is still available for the next two years and is open to all local CIDB grade 1-4 CE and GB who wish to be competitive and compliant,” Takalo said.

He added that the programme aligned with SANRAL’s Horizon 2030 strategy, which calls for an aggressive transformation agenda in the road construction industry through the upliftment and advancement of black contractors.

The CETA-certified programme is set to run over three years, during which SANRAL plans to offer certified training to 40,000 SMMEs across South Africa.

Katleho Victoria Mafanti, owner of Silatsatsi Trading CC, said the training advanced her knowledge of the tendering process and she now knows how to price a construction job.

Molahlehi Mokheseng, who owns Khes S Trading and Project, said he had gained a lot theoretical knowledge, and couldn’t wait to put his knowledge into practice to grow his business.

To qualify for the training, SMMEs:

  • need to be a tax-compliant company, registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD),
  • must have an active Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) registration and must be 51% black-owned, and
  • the business owner must submit his/her highest academic qualification, including proof of address.

In the event of a business owner not being able to attend the training, another person can attend the classes on the behalf of the business, via a nomination letter to SANRAL.

The classes run for 22 days and trainees are required to attend all of them, and to pass all modules in order to be awarded a CETA-accredited certificate.

SANRAL CEO outlines future plans

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Speaking after his first 100 days in office, SANRAL CEO, Reginal Demana said: “A challenge to SANRAL will be investing more in our roads for expansion and maintenance, and investing more in road safety – whether educating pedestrians or road users – as well as making sure that our roads can accommodate all the different kinds of traffic that they need to. We appreciate that when we work at SANRAL, we serve South Africans and drive economic growth and development through excellent engineering, while enabling more and more people to benefit from the job opportunities that our projects provide. We believe in building. wealth through infrastructure.”