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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Full closure of the N3 in KZN to accommodate blasting near Peacevale

Durban, 2 April 2024 – The N3 in KwaZulu-Natal will be fully closed on 10 April 2024, between the hours of 14h30 and 15h00, to facilitate blasting next to the N3 opposite the Peacevale Interchange. This forms part of the N3 Section 2 realignment project, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The N3 closure will take place between the M13/N3 split and the Hammarsdale Interchange. Closures will also be necessary on the following secondary roads in the vicinity of the blasting activities:

• Road at Thousand Hills Street intersection,
• Sterkspruit Road at Capital Hill Drive intersection and D706 Road accessing Peacevale.

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

10 April 2024 Wednesday

14h30 to 14h45 – Close N3 and secondary roads and blast.

14h45 to 15h00 – Clean up any debris on the N3.

15h00 – Reopen N3 and secondary roads for all vehicles.

The R103 will be available as an alternative route during the blast. Substantial delays may however be experienced as the N3 will be fully closed during 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 and to plan and adjust their trips to accommodate the closure while adhering to speed limits. SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused and thanks them for their ongoing patience during road construction,” said Lowe.

 

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JOINT MEDIA RELEASE

South African Government ends e-tolls in Gauteng

 

Gauteng, 28 March 2024 – The South African Government announces that e-tolls in Gauteng have officially been scrapped.

The gantries will officially be disconnected from the e-tolls network from 23h59 on 11 April 2024.

Following the initial announcement by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana during his 2022 midterm budget policy statement (MTBPS) that e-tolls will be scrapped, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL), the National Department of Transport (NDoT), the National Treasury (NT) and the Gauteng Provincial Government (GPG) have finalised a Memorandum of

Agreement (MOA) that covers the following:

• Gauteng to pay 30% (R12,93 billion) of SANRAL’s debt to national government;
• Gauteng to contribute to backlog maintenance (R4.1 billion);
• National Treasury to cover 100% of SANRAL’s debt; and,
• Withdrawal of the declaration of Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) as a toll road.

The signatories reiterate that the user pay principle remains a government policy and commit to continually engaging and working together to explore adequate and stable funding solutions for road construction, maintenance, and upgrade to support economic development.

Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has published in the Government Gazette, the withdrawal of the toll declaration of the e-toll roads. This declaration will be effective on 11 April 2024 at 23h59, which means that from 12 April 2024, road users will no longer be charged for the use of the e-toll network.

“This is a major milestone for road users in Gauteng. As government we are mandated to provide excellent roads and we will continue to do so. We will work with all stakeholders to make sure we maintain the excellent roads that people have become accustomed to on the e-toll network and beyond,” said Minister Chikunga.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana also said that National Treasury is pleased that an agreement that gives expression to the commitment made in the 2022 Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) speech has finally been concluded.

“The outstanding issues on the future of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project had become a source of uncertainty, not only to road users, but also to SANRAL and its bondholders, as well as current and potential investors in the province’s infrastructure development. Gauteng’s commitment to contribute to the backlog, maintenance and rehabilitation costs, in addition to the outstanding debt, represents a sustainable way forward while ensuring the quality of the province’s roads is maintained,” said Minister Godongwana.

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said: “The e-tolling on the Gauteng freeways has been met with backlash since its inception on 3 December 2013. As the provincial government we have always been clear that whilst there is a general acceptance of the user-pays principle and willingness to pay for current and future upgrades of roads and public transport infrastructure, in its current form, the e-toll system was unaffordable.

“We are therefore pleased that our appeal has been heard and the e-tolls matter will finally be put to an end, bringing much needed relief to the people of Gauteng who have had to bear the brunt of paying e-tolls for roads which serve a national purpose.”

SANRAL Board Chairperson Themba Mhambi said: “We welcome this final resolution of e-tolls and acknowledge the collaboration of all the parties who resolved this matter. For SANRAL, this provides a clear commitment to the payment of the GFIP debt.”

SANRAL CEO Reginald Demana said: “This resolution allows us to conclude our long outstanding application for increased borrowing limits from National Treasury. We hope that this will furthermore allow us to go to the market and unlock funding from the private sector to fund our existing pipeline of brownfield, shovel-ready toll road capital expenditure projects.”

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Media contacts:

Collen Msibi
National Spokesperson Ministry of Transport
066 476 9015

Ms Cleopatra Mosana
Media Liaison Officer Ministry of Finance
063 686 8413

Sizwe Pamla
Spokesperson Gauteng Premier
060 975 6794

Lwando Mahlasela
Media Relations Manager SANRAL
082 440 5305

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

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

Gqeberha, 28 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 (Grahamstown) and the Fish River Pass due to blasting operations taking place between 4 April and 29 April 2024.

Blasting operations are planned for the following dates:

• Thursday, 4 April 2024,
• Monday, 8 April 2024,
• Thursday, 11 April 2024,
• Monday,15 April 2024,
• Thursday,18 April 2024
• Monday, 22 April 2024,
• Thursday, 25 April 2024, and
• Monday, 29 April 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 cleaning of 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 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

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

Gqerberha, 28 March 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced that the planned blasting activity scheduled for today 28 March 2024, happening on the N2 between Makhanda and Fish River Pass has been cancelled. As a result, there will be no Stop/Go procedure in effect, and the road is now fully accessible as all debris has been cleared.

Motorists will be kept informed of any rescheduled blasting dates and times.

The ongoing upgrades to this segment of the N2 entail enhancements to both horizontal and vertical alignments, as well as the introduction of climbing lanes. The project includes the construction of community access roads in three villages situated on the Peddie side.

“Temporary road closures are necessary, due to SANRAL’s continuous efforts to enhance the N2 infrastructure in the Eastern Cape and aims to benefit all road users in the region,” said

Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s Southern Regional Manager.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

The N2 between Izingolweni and Harding in KwaZulu-Natal open to traffic

Durban, 28 March 2024 – The repairs to the N2 between Izingolweni and Harding in KwaZulu-Natal have been partially completed and the road is now open to traffic, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“Following the closure of this route caused by the heavy rains earlier this year, we are pleased to announce that this part of the road is now open to the public in time for the Easter weekend. The contractor at times worked through the night to effect the repairs which included the installation of four large diameter pipe culverts (concrete pipes underneath a roadway); major earthworks to build up the high fill, which was then followed by a number of pavement layers and finally asphalt surfacing. This major intervention will address the drainage issues and prevent further deterioration of the road,” said Samantha Dladla, SANRAL’s Project Manager in the Eastern Region (KwaZulu-Natal and Free State).

The road has been opened to allow the traffic flow on the N2 to ease the congestion on the alternative routes. After the Easter weekend, work will continue with protection works and erecting of road signage. The road will however remain opened during this period.

“We understand that this closure has caused a major inconvenience to the public, and we apologise for any disruption. However, the safety of road users is our utmost priority, and we are committed to making sure that the repairs are done as swiftly and efficiently as possible,” said Dladla.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Road closure on N3 between Sherwood and EB Cloete interchanges in KZN

Durban, 28 March 2024 – The removal of gantries on the N3 westbound between the Sherwood and EB Cloete interchanges in Durban will take place from 20h00 Saturday, 6 April 2024, until 04h00 Sunday, 7 April 2024, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“This current work forms part of a major national road network upgrade that is being undertaken throughout the province to relieve traffic congestion. The N3 westbound lanes will be closed for one night (eight hours) between the Sherwood and EB Cloete interchanges. Note that the N3 eastbound lanes will remain open to traffic,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

The closure is to enable the removal of gantries on the N3 westbound, between the Sherwood and EB Cloete interchanges which will allow for the widening of the N3, as part of SANRAL’s major upgrade programme, which includes the upgrade of the EB Cloete interchange.

As required for the safety of both road users and the construction team, full traffic accommodation plans are in place and people using this road will have noticed that signage, barriers and traffic calming measure are being installed.

Trucks and heavy vehicles are advised to delay trips over this period, find suitable staging areas during this time to avoid major congestion or choose alternative routes.

Public transport operators are asked to ensure their drivers are aware of road closures and alternative routes affecting their commuter service.

Light motor vehicles as well as emergency services and traffic services are advised to make use of alternative routes.

All road users are advised to plan their journeys ahead of time and where possible leave for their destinations earlier than usual. Residents and businesses in the area are advised to expect noise while the gantries are being removed.

A full road closure of the N3 westbound will take place at Sherwood Interchange, where N3 traffic will be diverted onto the M13.

“SANRAL appeals to road users to note and comply with the advance warning signs and speed restrictions when travelling towards the construction work zones. To prioritise the safety of both the construction works and road users, the speed limit along the route will be reduced during construction,” said Lowe.

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Stop/Go on N2 between Makhanda and Fish River Pass in the Eastern Cape

Gqeberha, 26 March 2024 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to notify road users that a Stop/Go system has been implemented on the N2 between Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) and the Fish River Pass. The Stop/Go operation will be in effect during the day to facilitate one-way traffic flow on the eastbound carriage ways in this area. This measure ensures safe passage while the partially blocked half of the road on the westbound carriage ways is being cleared. Stop/Go intervals will be brief, with a maximum duration of five minutes, minimising disruption to traffic flow.

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 exercise caution when making use of the roads,” said Mr Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

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