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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Lane closures N3 for lane markings and road studs

Durban, 7 March 2024 – The N3 between Westville Viaduct and Paradise Valley Interchange will be subject to lane closures from 11 March 2024 to 22 March 2024 between the hours of 20h00 and 04h30.

This is to facilitate the repainting of lane markings and installation of road studs as part of the construction process for the N3 road upgrades from the Westville Viaduct to the Paradise Valley Interchange, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) announced.

“The lane closures will take place on the east and westbound lanes of the N3 between Westville Viaduct (Pavilion Mall) and Paradise Valley Interchange (N3/M13 split),” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager. “The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), with the assistance of the contractor’s traffic accommodation team, will monitor and manage traffic during this period.”

Motorists are urged to plan their trips and consider alternative routes to ensure safe and timeous arrival at their respective destinations, whilst adhering to speed limits.

Lowe added, “SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused during this period of road improvements and appeals to the motoring public to be patient and considerate on the road.”

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MEDIA RELEASE

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga praises progress in R10-billion upgrade of Moloto Road

                  Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga (right) and SANRAL CEO Reginald Demana listen to a briefing by SANRAL’s                             Moloto Road Project Manager, Nontobeko Mathenjwa, during the minister’s inspection of progress on the construction works.

Mpumalanga, Monday 4 March 2024 – Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga says she is impressed with the progress in the R10-billion upgrade of the notoriously unsafe R573 Moloto Road. Minister Chikunga was in Mpumalanga this morning ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Imbizo which is taking place in the province on Thursday, 7 March 2024.

Moloto Road, which spans Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, is one of the busiest passenger transport routes in the country, ferrying approximately 60,000 commuters to and from Pretoria each day.

Minister Chikunga said the Moloto Road construction project was the result of a decision by national government to intervene in what was previously known as the ‘road of death’. “Moloto Road has a terrible reputation for being unsafe and that was why our government decided to intervene. This road connects three provinces, but in all the three provinces, it was a provincial road. With the crashes that were happening and the number of people dying on this one road, it was dubbed the road of death. We decided that national government needs to intervene and one of those interventions was to hand this road over to SANRAL for better construction and maintenance,” said Minister Chikunga.

“I am very pleased and impressed to see the progress that we are making in improving Moloto Road. I came here today ahead of President Ramaphosa’s District Development Model Imbizo in Mpumalanga and am happy to report that, indeed, we are on course to make this road safer and better for all road users. The work we are seeing here is proof that, indeed, government is delivering on its promises to our people,” she said.

SANRAL CEO Reginald Demana said the national roads agency was hard at work to deliver on one of the most pressing priorities of the Department of Transport. “We don’t want to continue referring to Moloto Road as ‘the road of death’. On the contrary, Moloto Road is the people’s road and that is why we are pushing our team and the construction companies hard to ensure that by 2025, we can say confidently that all packages of the work are underway so that the high number of fatalities can be history.”

“In addition to widening the road to become a dual-carriageway on significant stretches, there are major safety features such as traffic calming circles, agricultural underpasses for cattle to move under the road, lighting and a number of other measures which have been designed to reduce collisions and of course to ultimately ensure that the road is much safer for those people using this key economic artery,” said Demana.

Demana said that while SANRAL was accelerating construction on the Mpumalanga section of the project, the Limpopo section was well-advanced and construction there would be completed this year. In Gauteng, there have been delays in the transfer of land and roads but SANRAL was aiming to put the tenders for that section out to market in 2024.

SANRAL Project Manager Nontobeko Mathenjwa said the engineering team had complied with all relevant environmental laws and reduced the environmental impact by, for example, ensuring that construction did not disturb the water course and kept the river flowing at the bridge site which Miniser Chikunga visited. “We put a lot of work into managing the rivers and the stormwater system. We are also proud of the fact that there are a number of community development projects, including several access roads, which will create more job- and small business opportunities for locals.

Minister Chikunga also participated in work taking place in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality to repair potholes as part of Operation Vala Zonke, the national pothole campaign, on the D219 provincial road in Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga.

Vala Zonke is an integrated, rigorous and comprehensive plan for provinces, municipalities, the private sector and the public to come together to eradicate the challenge of potholes on all South African roads and SANRAL was appointed as the coordinating agency to drive the campaign.

Minister Chikunga’s visit to Mpumalanga demonstrates the government’s commitment to implementing crucial infrastructure development projects, building safer roads and, in so doing, helping to grow South Africa’s economy.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Stop/Go on N2 Section 16 from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction

Eastern Cape, 5 March 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) advises road users that a Stop/Go system will be implemented on the N2 Section 16, from Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction (formerly Komga), where a periodic road maintenance project is currently underway.

The one-way Stop/Go system will be implemented in two segments. The dates are as follows:

• Mooiplaas to Qumrha T-Junction (57-61kms): 6 March to 13 March 2024.
• Mooiplaas to Qumrha T- Junction (63-67kms): 6 March to 13 March 2024.

Motorists can expect 10- to 20-minute delays at each Stop/Go.

“The broad range of tasks within this project encompasses regular road upkeep, addressing surface patches, conducting minor rehabilitation, resealing existing road surfaces and correcting texture issues. While these endeavours may cause temporary disruptions, their overarching impact lies in safeguarding the infrastructure for the long term. Upholding and enhancing road infrastructure not only ensure more seamless travel experiences but also significantly contribute to the economic and social prosperity of the community,” said Mr Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.

SANRAL appeals to motorists to adhere to the warning signs, to reduce speed when approaching the construction zones and to plan their trips accordingly as there are no surfaced alternative routes available.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Blasting on the N2 between Makhanda and Fish River Pass

Eastern Cape, 4 March 2024 -The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to notify road users that the N2 will be intermittently closed between Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) and the Fish River Pass due to blasting operations taking place between 11 March and 28 March 2024.

Blasting operations are planned for the following dates:
  • Monday,11 March 2024
  • Thursday,14 March 2024
  • Monday,18 March 2024
  • Thursday, 21 March 2024
  • Monday, 25 March 2024, and
  • Thursday, 28 March 2024.

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

Motorists travelling westwards between East London or Qonce (formerly King William’s Town) and Gqeberha (formerly 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 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 route:

  • 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 roads,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s Southern Regional Manager.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Full closure to accommodate blasting at Lynnfield Bridge on the N3 (Update)

Pietermaritzburg, 4 March 2024 – The N3 will be fully closed on 11 Mar 2024 between 14h30 and 15h00 and on 13 Mar 2024 between 14h30 and 15h00.

This is to facilitate blasting under the Lynnfield Bridge on the R103 as part of the construction process of the N3 upgrade, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) announced.

“The previously scheduled blasts could not proceed due to technical difficulties,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

“Intermittent full closures will take place on both the N3 and R103 between the Ashburton and Lynnfield Park interchanges. The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) will manage and monitor traffic during all sessions with the assistance of the contractors’ traffic accommodation team.”

As the blast occurs on the R103 under the N3 Bridge, there is no alternative route on which to divert traffic. A 30-minute delay will be inevitable as both the R103 and the N3 will both be closed for the duration of the blast and clearing of debris.

The intermittent full road closures will take place on:

11 March 2024 Monday (blast day 1 – create slot)
14h30 to 14h45 – Close N3 and R103 and blast on the R103
14h45 to 15h00 – Clean up any debris on the N3 and R103
15h00 – Reopen N3 & R103 for all vehicles

13 March 2024 Wednesday (blast day 2 – main blast)
14h30 to 14h45 – Close N3 and R103 and blast on the R103
14h45 to 15h00 – Clean up any debris on the N3 and R103
15h00 – Reopen N3 & R103 for all vehicles

The closure may need to be adjusted depending on weather conditions on the day. If that happens, a second notice with information on the new schedule will be issued.

Motorists are urged to be patient during the closure as there are no alternative routes. They are also requested to plan and/or adjust their routes ahead of time as well as to adhere to all speed limits.

“SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused and thanks them for their patience during the ongoing road construction” said Lowe.

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Media Release

SANRAL to invest R740 million towards the improvement of roads in Kou-Kamma Municipality

               Caption: Zenande Mpondo outlines SANRAL’s Pre-Tender SMME training programme

Eastern Cape, 1 March 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL), is poised to inject millions of rands into the Kou-Kamma Local Municipality when it implements six road maintenance projects with a combined value of R740 million, over the next few months.

SANRAL announced the investment during a Taking SANRAL to the People stakeholder engagement session held at the Ravinia Multipurpose Community Centre in Joubertina in the Eastern Cape Province. The session was a follow up to the ones that SANRAL held in Tsitsikamma and Kareedouw at the end of January this year.

Local leaders from the municipality, SMMEs and local community members, including youth, women, military veterans and people with disabilities, attended.

Outlining SANRAL’s investment, Siphesihle Bulose, SANRAL’s Project Manager, said SANRAL will implement several road infrastructure development projects in the municipality. “These projects include a periodic maintenance contract for the N2 National Road from Bloukrans River bridge to Storms River village intersection, valued at R80 million, and another contract from Storms River village to Wittelsbos, worth R50 million. The scope of work will entail the construction of surface seal, localised surface repairs, crack sealing and edge break repairs,” said Bulose.

“The special maintenance project on the R62 National Road between the border of the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces is expected to start in June this year and over 30 SMMEs are expected to benefit and over 200 job opportunities will be created. About 250 job opportunities are expected to be created and over 35 SMMEs will benefit on the special maintenance project on the R62 National Road between Joubertina and Kareedouw.”

“The construction tender for the special maintenance of the National Road R62 between Louterwater and Joubertina is in design stage, while the periodic maintenance between Bloukrans River Bridge and Storms River Village is at tender evaluation stage, and the contract for the periodic maintenance between Storms River Village and Wittelsbos is in construction tender stage, closing in March 2024,” added Bulose.

Presenting SANRAL’s pre-tender training endeavours, Zenande Mpondo, from SANRAL Southern Region’s Transformation unit, said that the roads entity will train and develop SMME contractors to enhance their business acumen and tendering skills.

“All SMMEs will be required to undertake assessment and class activities during the training, and they will have to demonstrate competence to be awarded the unit standard. The unit standards are from the National Certificate: Construction Contracting NQF 2. These unit standards are a skills programme that will have a credit value towards the National Certificate,” said Mpondo.

Welekazi Ndika, SANRAL Southern Region’s Stakeholder Coordinator, emphasised the importance of communicating through Project Liaison Committees (PLCs). “Whenever communities have issues, they should be dealt with through the PLCs. As government entity that is committed to its transformation agenda, it is part of SANRAL’s mandate to develop local SMMEs. At the completion of a project, SMMEs in Grade One, for example, should be able to upgrade Grade Two or Three,” said Ndika.

SANRAL uses its stakeholder engagement sessions as a platform to outline benefits of its road infrastructure build programmes to local communities in terms of job opportunities, skills development, training and subcontracting of emerging contractors, suppliers and services providers.

Through these sessions, the roads agency underscores the imminent impactful road infrastructure investments it makes, improving the socio-economic conditions of communities that live along its national road network.

The announcement of these upcoming projects has garnered a positive reaction from the community, who expressed satisfaction that the projects will finally kick off.

 

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MEDIA RELEASE

Premier Mabuyane applauds SANRAL on road construction in his last SOPA

Eastern Cape, 23 February 2024 – The work of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) in the Eastern Cape – especially the construction of the two mega bridges at Msikaba and Mtentu – has received recognition by Premier Oscar Mabuyane in his State of the Province Address.

In his 52-page speech delivered at the Abbosford Christian Centre in East London on 22 February, Mabuyane reserved two pages on the construction sector and how it is set to improve economic growth, mobility and create jobs.

Referring to Eastern Cape as a construction site from all entrances, he touched on the two mega bridges, Msikaba and Mtentu, on the flagship N2WCR project.

“These two mega projects have special meaning to us because they’re located in the most impoverished and underdeveloped districts in the province. Their construction is already changing the lives of our people in Alfred Nzo and OR Tambo in unimaginable ways. In addition, seven road projects that lead to the two mega bridges will be upgraded from gravel to tarred surfaces in villages across eMampondweni,” he said.

The Premier mentioned other major road projects outside the N2WCR including the Breidbach/Belstone interchange and N2 Green River project near Qonce, Ndabakazi interchange near Butterworth, the N2 between Makhanda and Peddie, the R61 from Bhisho to Qumrha, the Kidds Beach interchange on R72, and the enlargement of the N2 between KwaBhaca and EmaXesibeni among others.

“In the past five years, the national roads agency committed R28,5-billion for roads construction in our districts and metros. By the end of this year, motorists in our province will experience the thrill of driving on a world-class interchange that is under construction near Breidbach in the Buffalo City Metro,” said Mabuyane.

He says the creation of 15,000 jobs by the construction sector in the past four years is linked to the government’s support for SMMEs.

SANRAL Regional manager for the Southern Region, Mbulelo Peterson, has welcomed remarks by the Premier and has committed that the roads agency will ensure that maintenance of the Eastern Cape road network does not lag behind other provinces.

“The biggest spend in road maintenance goes to OR Tambo, Alfred Nzo, Amathole and Chris Hani districts, which are mostly rural in nature. Here roads are badly potholed, and sometimes low-lying bridges get washed away during rainy seasons.

“SANRAL manages 5,400 km of road network in the Eastern Cape which makes it the biggest province in terms of national roads network, and with an addition of some provincial roads, this will see the total distance climbing to 5,600 km. We’ve recently taken over the R411 Viedgesville to Coffee Bay, Matatiele to Qasha’s Nek and Ngcobo to R56 through Satan’s Nek,” said Peterson.

                        The Mtentu bridge

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Full closure to accommodate blasting at Lynnfield Bridge on the N3

Pietermaritzburg, 21 February 2024 – The N3 will be fully closed on 26 February 2024, between 14h30 and 15h00, and 28 February 2024, between the 14h30 and 15h00, to facilitate blasting under the Lynnfield Bridge on the N3, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The intermittent full closures will take place between the Ashburton and Lynnfield Park interchanges. The closures are necessary for the blasting under the Lynnfield Bridge on the N3 as part of the construction process of the R103. Our traffic accommodation team, with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), will manage and monitor the diversion of traffic during all sessions, said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

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

Monday, 26 February 2024 (blast day 1 – create slot)
14h30 to 14h45 – Close N3 and blast on the R103.
14h45 to 15h00 – Clean up any debris on the N3 and/or R103.
15h00 – Reopen N3 and R103 for all vehicles.

Wednesday, 28 February 2024 (blast day 2 – main blast)
14h30 to 14h45 – Close N3 and blast on the R103.
14h45 to 15h00 – Clean up any debris on the N3 and/or R103.
15h00 – Reopen N3 and R103 for all vehicles.

 

The blast occurs on the R103 meaning that there will be no alternative route to which traffic can be diverted. Substantial delays will be experienced as the R103 and the N3 will both be closed for the period of the blast.

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

“We ask motorists to be patient during the closure as there will be no alternative routes to access. We further urge motorists to plan and adjust their trips to accommodate the closure and adhere to speed limits. SANRAL apologises to road users for any inconvenience caused and thanks them for their patience during road construction,” said Lowe.

 

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Lane closures for N2 upgrade between Kraaibosch and Touw River

Western Cape, 21 February 2024 – Lane closures will be in place on the N2 section 7 from 27 February 2024, for the upgrade between Kraaibosch and Touw River on the Garden Route, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

For improved mobility and road safety, as well as to meet the demands of growing developments along the Garden Route, the existing N2 route and access roads will be upgraded by widening and/or reconstruction over the next 27 months.

Construction will be carried out in such a manner that two-way traffic will be maintained on part (half) of the road surface while work takes place on the remaining part of the road surface. However, necessary closures, over a maximum distance of 500m, could take place for short periods to ensure public safety, i.e., removal of vegetation or relocation of services which may endanger the traveling public.

“We appeal to road users to exercise caution, reduce speed and adhere to warning signs in the construction area and to be on the lookout for road construction workers at all times,” said David Le Cordeur, SANRAL’s Project Manager.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused. This is however a short-term inconvenience in the pursuit of long-term road safety upgrades, which will benefit all road users.

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