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MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL to inject billions into construction industry early in 2024 as officials work through holidays to adjudicate 77 tenders

Pretoria, 20 December 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has started adjudicating R6.43 billion worth of tenders which will be awarded early in 2024 and provide a welcome boost to the construction industry.

SANRAL’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Reginald Demana, says 77 tenders for various road construction projects officially closed on 14 December 2023 after they were advertised at the end of November 2023 under the roads agency’s Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP).

“SANRAL is currently adjudicating 77 tenders which will give the construction industry a shot in the arm and get it off to a good start in the new year, helping to create thousands of jobs and inject billions of rands into the economy,” said Mr Demana.

“While the rest of South Africa is winding down for the festive season, SANRAL is working hard to get South Africa’s construction industry off to a flying start in the new year. The fact that our officials are working through the holidays to adjudicate these tenders is an indication of our commitment to fulfilling the promises we made to the South African public and it shows that we are getting back to business as soon as possible. We understand the role that construction and infrastructure development plays in the construction industry and we are determined to overcome the disruptions which resulted from court challenges to our PPP adopted in May 2023. We are squarely focussed on developing, maintaining and improving the national road network in line with our mandate from government.”

After several court challenges launched by construction companies, SANRAL announced on 24 October that it was withdrawing the PPP adopted in May 2023 and embarked on a countrywide consultation process with interested and affected parties to adopt an Interim PPP. The 77 tenders which are currently being adjudicated were advertised in line with the interim policy.

Mr Demana stressed that SANRAL was making every effort to catch up on time that the industry had lost by putting out 86 of the less complex consulting and construction tenders that were cancelled and subsequently re-advertised at the end of November.

The CEO said 1,040 bids were received for the 77 tenders and this illustrated the significance of SANRAL projects in the construction industry.

The breakdown of the 1,040 bids is as follows:

• • 124 bids for national contracts with an estimated value of R350 million;
• • 279 received for the Northern Region (Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North-West) with an estimated value of R548 million;
• • 247 received for the Eastern Region (Free State and KwaZulu-Natal) with an estimated value of R2.1 billion;
• • 240 received for the Southern Region (Eastern Cape) with an estimated value of R2.83 billion, and;
• • 150 for the Western Region (Northern Cape and Western Cape) with an estimated value of R600 million.

“We are encouraged and at the same time humbled by this overwhelming response. It also tells us that the numerous engagements we had with interested and affected parties across the country has paved the way for more effective collaboration with all our stakeholders in the industry,” said Demana.

The official shutdown period for the construction sector commenced on 14 December 2023 and will end on 9 January 2024. While all conventional road construction will be suspended during this time, SANRAL’s Routine Road Maintenance teams remain on standby to respond to any incident on the national road network.

“We wish to thank all our consultants and contractors for working around the clock to keep our projects on track and within budget. May you all have a well-deserved break with your loved ones and stay safe wherever you may travel,” said Mr Demana.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

CLELAND OVERPASS DEMOLITION WILL RESULT IN ROAD CLOSURE OF N3

Pietermaritzburg, 19 December 2023 – The N3 will be closed from 18h00 on 20 January 2024 until 06h00 on 21 January 2024, to facilitate the demolition of Cleland bridge on the N3, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced. This is part of the improvements to the road which will benefit road users in the medium- to long-term.

“Full closures will take place at Ashburton and Market Road interchange with both the Northbound and Southbound traffic being unable to access the N3 during said times. The closures are due to the demolition of the Cleland Bridge on the N3 North and South Bound as part of the N3 construction process. The traffic accommodation team, with the assistance of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), will manage and monitor the diversion of traffic to the R103,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

The full road closures are proposed to take place as follows:
20 January 2024
18:00 to 00:00 – Close N3 and proceed to break the bridge structure.

21 January 2024
00h00 to 06h00 – Complete breaking, clean and reopen N3 allowing for traffic to flow.

The available alternative routes to traffic are:
1. Northbound traffic to be taken off at the Ashburton Interchange onto R103 and back onto the N3 at Market Road Intersection.
2. Southbound traffic to be taken off at the Market Road Interchange onto R103 and back onto the N3 at the Ashburton Intersection.

The closure may need to be adjusted depending on weather conditions on the day. SANRAL will keep the travelling public updated on progress and changes to the above through further media statements.

“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.

MEDIA RELEASE
M4 Tongaat River Bridge Opens in Time for Festive Season

Pietermaritzburg, 14 December 2023 – The M4 Tongaat River Bridge in Ballito was reopened today, (14 December 2023) after it was badly damaged during the April 2022 floods, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced. The reopening of the bridge will provide great relief for road users in the vicinity.

The national road network was badly affected by the torrential rains and flooding that swept through the province in April 2022. The then Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, tasked SANRAL to be the lead agency in rebuilding the road infrastructure in KZN.

“Today is an important day for residents and businesses along the M4 in Westbrook and Tongaat who were seriously affected by the bridge closure. The reopening comes at an opportune time as the festive season is upon us,” said Mr Dumisani Nkabinde, SANRAL’s
Eastern Regional Manager.
“I want to express my gratitude to the local residents and businesses for their patience and understanding throughout the duration of these repairs. Repairs to the damaged bridge began in July 2023 and was completed on schedule. The bridge is a crucial transportation
which will now continue to service the needs of the community well into the future,” said Mr Nkabinde.

“Road users had to take longer routes and with the reopening we hope that communities and businesses of Zimbali, Ballito, Salt Rock, Shaka’s Head and other locations within KwaDukuza Local Municipality can once again resume normal operations.”

SANRAL has appealed to the freight industry, especially the double tipper trucks, not to use  the M4 until further notice.
With the busy Christmas season underway, SANRAL is encouraging all road users to take care and be extra vigilant and to respect all road users and help make this a safe and happy festive season for everyone.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Reduced lane widths and shoulder closures on N3 northbound between M13 interchange and Hammarsdale interchange

Durban, 13 December 2023 – Short-term single lane closures will be applied between the M13/N3 and Hammarsdale Interchanges between 12 December 2023 and 29 February 2024, for the placement of the concrete barriers and for the remarking of traffic lanes, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) has announced.

The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), with the assistance of our contractor’s traffic accommodation team, will manage and monitor traffic during these closures.

Furthermore, the traffic lanes on the N3 Northbound (Pietermaritzburg-bound) between the M13 and Hammarsdale interchanges will have long-term reduced lane widths from 10 January to 29 July 2024, as part of the construction process for the realignment of the N3 between Key Ridge and Hammarsdale.

Concrete barriers will be used to separate public traffic from the construction areas where the works will take place. Traffic will be flowing on the slow, middle, and fast lanes, which will be reduced in lane width from the M13/N3 merge up to the Hammarsdale off-ramp.

“Motorists are urged to be patient during the closures and to plan and adjust their trips to ensure they arrive at their destinations on time, while adhering to sign posted speed limits. SANRAL apologises to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused and thanks them for their patience during road construction,” said SANRAL project manager, Jason Lowe.

 

MEDIA RELEASE
Closure of filling station known as Engen Hayfields, 101 New England Road, Pietermaritzburg

13 December 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to inform motorists, particularly in the KwaZulu-Natal province, about the closure of the fuel station known as Hayfields Engen, situated at 101 New England Road, Pietermaritzburg.

This follows an eviction order granted on 8 December by the Constitutional Court against Archiways Skye (Pty) Ltd (trading as Engen Hayfields Service Station) in favour of SANRAL. SANRAL is the owner of the property and had concluded an agreement of lease with Archiways Skye (Pty) Ltd in terms of which it leased the premises to Archiways. Archiways breached the agreement of lease by failing to pay rental due over an extended period of time.

Motorists are warned to plan their refuelling needs accordingly, specifically taking into consideration that as of Thursday 14 December 2023, Engen Hayfields will no longer be pumping fuel. SANRAL regrets the inconvenience caused to motorists and to the community around Hayfields.

SANRAL intends reopening the fuel station in the near future, once all relevant processes and approvals have been concluded. There are a number of sub-tenants on the premises which had an agreement with Archiways and SANRAL has given these a reprieve to continue operating under new lease agreements directly with the roads agency.

MEDIA RELEASE
State of the national road network in KZN during the festive season

Durban, 13 December 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) hereby advises road users of the state of the KZN national road network during this festive season.

SANRAL expects that travel on interprovincial and national roads will peak during the December/January holiday period.
During this period, the road construction industry will shut down operations on 14 December 2023 and resume on 8 January 2024.
The following traffic accommodation should be taken into account when planning holiday travel:

The shoulder on the N3 Southbound (Durban-bound) was closed on 4 December 2023 for the construction of the temporary on-ramp at Cliffdale Road overpass. The road, which is part of the N3 Key Ridge to Hammarsdale upgrade project, will reopen on approximately 30 March 2024, SANRAL has announced.

Furthermore, the traffic lanes on the N3 Northbound (Pietermaritzburg-bound) between the M13 and Hammarsdale interchanges will have long-term reduced lane widths from 10 January 2024 to 29 July 2024, as part of the construction process for the realignment of the N3 between Key Ridge and Hammarsdale.

“Following the placing of the concrete barriers, the left-hand shoulder on the N3 Southbound will remain closed from the Cliffdale Road overpass for a length of 500m from 4 December 2023 to approximately 30 March 2024,” said Dumisani Nkabinde, SANRAL’s Eastern Regional Manager.

The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and the Municipal Traffic Police, with the assistance of the contractor’s traffic accommodation team, will manage and monitor traffic during the shoulder closure.
The slow, middle and fast lanes of the N3 will still be fully open to traffic during construction of the temporary on-ramp.
Work on the N3 northbound carriageway between the Cato Ridge Interchange and Dardanelles will see southbound traffic being diverted onto the newly constructed carriageway between the Cato Ridge and Camperdown Interchanges thereby enabling the reconstruction of the southbound carriageway.

“The switchover will commence on 7pm on Tuesday,12 December 2023, until 5am on Wednesday, 13 December 2023. The northbound traffic shall not be affected by this traffic switch and motorists and all road users shall continue using the current lanes. Contraflow conditions between Camperdown Interchange and Dardanelles will not be affected by this traffic switch and shall remain in place,” said Nkabinde.

Once the traffic has been diverted off the southbound carriageway between Camperdown and Cato Ridge Interchanges, construction will begin on a new four-lane southbound carriageway. It is expected that contraflow conditions shall prevail until January 2025.
Short-term single lane closures will be in place between the M13/N3 and Hammarsdale Interchanges between 11 December 2023 and 29 February 2024, for the placement of the concrete barriers and for the remarking of traffic lanes. The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and the Municipal Traffic Police, with the assistance of the contractor’s traffic accommodation team, will manage and monitor traffic during these closures.

There will be lane closures from 9 January 2024 to 9 February 2024 between the hours of 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 lane closure will take place in the East and West bound fast lanes of the N3 between Westville Viaduct (Pavilion Mall) and Paradise Valley Interchange (N3/M13 split). The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and the Municipal Traffic Police, with the assistance of the contractor’s traffic accommodation team will manage and monitor the diversion of traffic during this period.

“SANRAL wishes road users a safe festive season and we appeal for compliance with all the rules of the road,” said Nkabinde.