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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Stop/Go on N2 Section 16, from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction, in the Eastern Cape

Gqerberha, 11 June 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) advises road users that a Stop/Go system has been implemented on the N2 Section 16, from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction (formerly Komga), where a periodic road maintenance project is currently underway.

The Stop/Go system will be in place from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction from 10 June to 3 August 2024.

Motorists can expect a 10- to 20-minute delay at the Stop/Go.

“Motorists should adhere to the warning signs, reduce speed when approaching the construction zones and plan their trips accordingly as there are no alternative routes available,” said Mr Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s Southern Regional Manager.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Upgrade of the R336 route between Nqweba (formerly Kirkwood) and Addo in the Eastern Cape

Gqeberha, 10 June 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) advises road users that a road upgrade project is in currently progress on the R336 between Nqweba (formerly Kirkwood) and Addo.

Phase 1 of the work takes place from km 16.75 to km 30.5 and includes resealing 1.75 km of the existing road between km 15 and km 16.75 (east of the town of Nqweba).

There will be no stop/go signs on the section of the road under the Phase 1 contract for the duration of the Wildfees Festival, which runs from 28 June to 1 July 2024.

Motorists should note:

• Phase 1 starts from Nqweba to approximately 500m from Bezuidenhout Bridge.
• As road users drive out of Nqweba towards Addo, both lanes have been recently surfaced.
• Main Street, starting from the Whyte Street/Main Street intersection, has been surfaced.

The alternative routes for motorists travelling either from Addo on the R336 heading towards the R75, or vice versa, is via Mimosa Street, Shand Street and Middle Street in town. These roads have been paved.

The road is still a construction site, and motorists are advised to observe the temporary signs and the speed limit of 60km per hour. No overtaking is permitted.

Motorists travelling from Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) to Nqweba should use the R75 and turn on to the R336 Nqweba.

Motorists travelling from Addo to Nqweba are advised to familiarise themselves with the Phase 2 traffic advisory.

There is no alternative route for motorists travelling between Addo and Nqweba.

“Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly and be cautious when using the roads,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.

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MEDIA RELEASE

Transformation to help grow SA infrastructure, SANRAL tells NAFBI conference

Pretoria, 6 June 2024 – The South African national Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) says its transformation agenda is not aimed at destroying big construction companies but it is intended work together to lift small business along the journey.

This was a message by the General Manager for Marketing and Communications at SANRAL, Vusi Mona, during his address at the National Association For Building Industry (NAFBI) Stakeholder Engagement Forum currently underway at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

The engagement is being held in partnership with the Big 5 Southern Africa Construct, which aims to engage stakeholders on various issues related to the state of infrastructure in South Africa and strengthening private sector partnerships with the public sector.

Mona refuted claims that SANRAL aims to undermine big construction firm through its transformation efforts. Instead, he said, it wants the big companies to uplift SMMEs in the industry in order to participate meaningfully on projects.

“We want to strengthen the big companies to get more business to help them grow and see them compete globally. But there is a condition that as they grow, they should lift other small companies as well,” he said.

NAFBI National President, Aubrey Tshalata, said the organisation has been leading transformation in the construction space for more than 20 years assisted by Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) and SANRAL. As a result, it has launched an aggressive mentorship programme with about 120 mentors who are providing SMMEs with technical mentorship at construction sites.

“Many a times people are placed at construction sites with no one to assist them with technical mentorship so that they can deliver successfully on projects. It is for this reason that we have launched this programme. I want to commend SANRAL for outstanding support in the provision of mentorship. We have 44 mentors coaching well over 400 SMMEs on SANRAL sites alone,” said Tshalata.

Tshalata also relayed the challenge of the declining number of women-owned businesses in construction and said more needs to be done to address the issue.

Other key issues covered at the engagements were safety challenges on construction sites following the recent tragedies in George and KwaZulu-Natal were workers lost their lives due to compromised safety on construction sites.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic events which occurred in George and KZN. It is something that could have been avoided considering could that we have existing professionals with the knowledge and technical know-how to address safety. It is for this reason that we will be hosting a summit to address the issue of Occupational Health and Safety on sites,” said Tshalata.

Lufuno Ratsiku, President of the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professionals (SACPCMP), warned against “deploying unqualified individuals to manage construction projects in our quest for transformation”.

“We need to ensure we have qualified people in the field to manage projects. It is not fair that the industry is open to anyone who feels they can do the job, unlike other industries where there is vetting. Medical practices should be left to medical professionals, the same should apply in construction,” said Ratsiku.

He said this can cause a situation where projects are started but never completed because finance get closed off somewhere in the pipeline.

The NAFBI event is underway until Thursday and aims to host fruitful conversation to grow the industry and the economy.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Lane closures to place concrete barriers on the N3 at the Paradise Valley Interchange

Durban, 7 June 2024 – The N3 will have daily lane closures from 17 June to 22 June 2024 between 20h00 to 04h30 to facilitate the placing of concrete barriers as part the N3 project upgrades from Westville Viaduct to Paradise Valley Interchange, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The lane closure will take place on the East and Westbound slow lanes at the Paradise Valley Interchange (N3/M13 Merge). The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), with the assistance of the contractor’s traffic accommodation team, will manage and monitor the diversion of traffic during this period,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

“SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused during the road closure. This is an unavoidable consequence of the road improvements. Attempts have been made to minimise disturbances as far as possible and closures have been restricted to hours when traffic is at its lowest level,” said Lowe.

Motorists are urged to be patient while driving through the alternative routes, to plan and adjust their route trips ahead of time, and to adhere to signage and speed limits.

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MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL Announces Major Investment in Road Safety and Socio-Economic

Development for Inxuba Yethemba Municipality, Eastern Cape

Caption: Inxuba Yethemba Municipality Mayor, Noncedo Zonke(4th from left), SANRAL

Stakeholder Relations Coordinator, Welekhazi Ndika (5th from right), SANRAL Project Manager, Thabo Jaxa(2nd from right), and elected PLC Members.

 

Middelburg, Eastern Cape, 6 June 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) introduced two slope stabilisation projects to stakeholders in the Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape.

The projects were introduced at two stakeholder engagement events on 4 and 5 June 2024. The targeted sites – the Witkrans Nek on the N10 outside Middelburg and Cradock Cutting on the R390 – are known for their treacherous conditions, particularly during winter.

The initiative underscores SANRAL’s commitment to enhancing road safety and driving socio-economic growth in the region. The project, affecting areas under the Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality and Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality, marks a significant investment in infrastructure development with an allocated budget of R330 million.

Anticipated to commence in July 2024, the project spans 24 months including three months mobilisation period and is poised to bring transformative benefits to the local community.

These areas have been identified as high-risk zones where road safety is paramount. By stabilising these slopes, SANRAL aims to mitigate the dangers posed to motorists and ensure safer travel routes.

Engineer Johan Swanepoel emphasised the specialised nature of this work and the meticulous quality-control measures in place to ensure the contractor delivers superior results. These engagement sessions served a dual purpose to introduce the project to municipal stakeholders and to establish Project Liaison Committees (PLCs).

The PLCs, which include representatives from small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), designated groups such as women, youth, people with disabilities, military veterans, and the affected community, will oversee the project’s progress and ensure transparent communication.

Mayor Noncedo Zonke lauded the inclusive approach, highlighting the importance of community involvement in infrastructure projects. “The establishment of PLCs ensures that our community has a voice in the project’s execution. The appointment of labourers also must be equally distributed among the wards from the list,” said Mayor Zonke.

“We thank the government for bringing jobs to the people because unemployment is high that’s why the hall is full. We must however, ensure that it’s the locals who benefit and not people from outside of this municipality,” said a resident in Cradock.

SANRAL’s project is not just about enhancing road safety; it is a catalyst for socio-economic development in the Inxuba Yethemba Municipality. A significant portion of the project’s budget is dedicated to empowering local labour and enterprises. Specifically, a minimum of 6% is allocated for targeted labour, prioritising people with disabilities, women, youth and military veterans.

“We are trying to accommodate even people who are older than 35-50 years old so that no one feels excluded, we are not only looking to employ youth from 18 to 35 years,” said Project Manager, Thabo Jaxa

Targeted enterprises will be responsible for various critical aspects of the project, including transportation of labour, traffic control facilities, construction of subsoil drains, installation of prefabricated culverts, landscaping, fencing, and site security services.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Lane closure to place concrete barriers on the St James Avenue/N3 on ramp westbound, KZN

Durban, 6 June 2024 – A lane will be closed on the N3 westbound onramp from 17 June 2024 to 22 June 2024 from 20h00 to 04h30 to facilitate the placing of concrete barriers as part the construction process for the road upgrades from Westville Viaduct to Paradise Valley Interchange, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The lane closure will take place in the slow lane of the St James Avenue Bridge/N3 Onramp in the westbound direction. The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), with the assistance of the contractor’s traffic accommodation team, will manage and monitor the diversion of traffic during this period,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

Motorist are urged to be patient during the lane closure periods and to plan and adjust their routes accordingly, thereby ensuring that motorists arrive at their destinations on time while adhering to sign posted speed limits.

“SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused to the motoring public and thanks them for their patience during this period,” said Lowe.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Blasting Operations on N2 between Makhanda and Fish River Pass in the Eastern Cape

Gqeberha, 3 June 2024– The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to notify road users that the N2 will be intermittently closed between Makhanda (Grahamstown) and the Fish River Pass due to blasting operations taking place between 6 June and 27 June 2024.

Blasting operations are planned for the following dates:

• Thursday, 6 June 2024,
• Monday, 10 June 2024,
• Thursday 13 June 2024,
• Monday, 17 June 2024 (Public Holiday),
• Thursday, 20 June 2024,
• Monday, 24 June 2024, and
• Thursday, 27 June 2024.

The road will be closed on these days from 15h00, for a maximum period of three hours up to 18h00, to allow sufficient time for the cleaning of the existing N2 and making it safe for road users.

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 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 roads,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

N2 night-time lane closure at Thembalethu Bridge in George

Western Cape, 3 June 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced that night-time lane closures, from 19h00 to 05h00, will be in place on the N2 in George from 4 June 2024 until the end of June. This is for the final additional concrete construction works on the new bridge at the Thembalethu interchange over the N2.

“During the closures, motorists will still be able to use the off- and on-ramps at the bridge to gain access to the N2 on the other side to continue on their journey,” said Petronella Theron, SANRAL Project Manager.

SANRAL will try to complete the work as quickly as possible and will keep road users informed of the progress.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Stop/Go on N2 Section 16, from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction, Eastern Cape

Gqerberha, 3 June 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) advises road users that a Stop/Go system has been implemented on the N2 Section 16, from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction (formerly Komga), where a periodic road maintenance project is currently underway.

The Stop/Go system will be in place from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction from 3 June to 3 August 2024. Motorists can expect a 10- to 20-minute delay at the Stop/Go.

“Motorists should adhere to the warning signs, reduce speed when approaching the construction zones and plan their trips accordingly as there are no alternative routes available,” said Mr Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s Southern Regional Manager.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

//Ends
Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf of SANRAL. For editorial content or additional information, contact Jenay Petrus on 081 746 7986 or pressoffice@nra.co.za

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Blasting on R58, Section 5 From Lady Grey to Barkley East, Eastern Cape

Gqerberha, 28 May 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) advises road users that blasting is scheduled on the Wolfhuis Pass on the R58, Section 5 from Lady Grey to Barkley East, on Monday, 3 June 2024. The blast is planned for approximately 12:00pm. The road will be closed for about 30 minutes for blasting and subsequent cleaning operations.

“Unfortunately, there are no suitable alternative routes in this section. Any alternative route would take longer than waiting at the closure until the road is reopened,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region’s Manager.

Motorists are asked to plan their trips accordingly, and to use caution when making use of the road.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

//Ends
Issued by FTI Consulting on behalf of SANRAL. For editorial content or additional information, contact Jenay Petrus on 081 746 7986 or pressoffice@nra.co.za