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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Bridge repairs along the R75 near Kariega

Eastern Cape, 17 November 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to notify travellers that bridge repairs will begin on the R75 near Kariega (formerly Uitenhage) starting today, Friday (17 November).

The road between Botha Street and Union Ave northbound will be closed from today (Friday 17 November 2023) until Monday, 11 December 2023.

“The road will be closed to allow for the replacement of bridge bearings,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.

Traffic will be diverted off the R75 at the Botha Street off-ramp at Despatch and directed to proceed via Algoa Road (R368) to Kariega and rejoin the R75 at the Union Street on-ramp.

Temporary information sign boards and all other speed limiting temporary signs for the closure will be placed along the construction zone.

The contractor’s traffic safety officer and a safety officer will be present for the full duration of this activity. Flag personnel will be in place in various locations along the R75 only.

“Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly, consider alternative routes and use caution when making use of the roads,” said Peterson.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL Project Manager takes over the reins as President of the South African Road Federation (SARF)

KwaZulu-Natal, 16 November 2023 – The new President of the South African Road Federation (SARF), Mirriam Mosia, says continuous professional development of South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) engineers is key to ensuring unparalleled excellence in the delivery of complex engineering projects. Mosia was today inaugurated as the new President of SARF at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Durban.

SARF, currently in its 73rd year of operation, is an industry body committed to the development of effective and efficient road systems in South Africa and strives for economic growth in the sector through education and training.
The Federation facilitates ongoing dialogue between South Africa’s road industry sectors and contributes to the development of South Africa’s knowledge economy through knowledge sharing, skills transfer and innovation.

“This is a big moment for me. The culmination of not only years of studying and working on major construction projects, but also a journey I have walked in pursuit of excellence in our profession, through mentoring, peer evaluation and benchmarking against global best practice. I want to use my position as President of SARF to elevate the voice of SARF beyond geographic borders. On a personal level, the mentoring of young engineers that join SARF is very close to my heart,” said Mosia, shortly after taking the reins from the outgoing President, Vusi Tshabangu.

SANRAL is a member of SARF and regularly uses this platform to workshop new policies or technical specifications with the industry.
“My presence at SARF is a constant reminder to other members (consulting engineering and construction companies, concessionaires, and road authorities at all levels) that SANRAL is actively involved in the industry and is committed to meaningful engagement with industry stakeholders. More importantly, as infrastructure development is set to drive economic recovery in our country, I will be actively spearheading the roll-out of a training programme that SANRAL developed with SARF, for skills development in the Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) space. This is the easiest area of accessing the sector and every effort must be made to upskill emerging contractors coming into this arena.”

Mosia explained that she has been involved with SARF for the past eight years. “I started being involved with the SARF Executive Committee in 2018, when I was nominated and voted in as Honorary Treasurer.

“Every two years thereafter, I got nominated and voted up the ranks, until I became Deputy President for the 2021–2022 cycle where I had the opportunity to weigh in on important policies and overall operations,” she said.

She recalls how a Grade 11 school trip was the defining moment when she knew exactly where her career would go. “When we travelled through the Huguenot Tunnel and surrounding mountain passes in the Western Cape, I just knew that I wanted to be an engineer that constructs such beautiful tunnels, bridges and roadways. My application to the university had Civil Engineering only – no second or third options. Roads found me,” said Mosia.

SANRAL’s recognition for its contribution to SARF’s work was further amplified when Southern Region Project Manager, Marlize Nel-Verwey, received the 2023 President’s Award for her work done on Community Development projects.
Outgoing President Vusi Tshabangu lauded Marlize’s passion for helping the less fortunate through her work, research topics and presentations over the years.

“She may not have built the road, but helped develop a vehicle that significantly improved the lives of emerging contractors in the Eastern Cape and across South Africa,” said Tshabangu.

Gracefully accepting the award, Nel-Verwey said: “I am just a representative of a huge team within SANRAL working very hard to promote labour intensive projects and the use of SMMEs in delivering our projects to the benefit of all road users. I am a servant. My role is to serve my company, serve the community and the people of
South Africa. My approach? Block out the noise and focus on the impact of your work on humanity”.

While November is known as Men’s Month, it is ironic that these two phenomenal women are flying the flag for engineering excellence, particularly also as SANRAL celebrates 25 years of delivering iconic road infrastructure in South Africa.

“We could not be more proud of Ms Mosia for this achievement as she now leads SARF, while still delivering excellence on the multiple projects that she is responsible for in our Northern Region,” said Vusi Mona, SANRAL’s General Manager for Communications and Marketing.

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL WELCOMES COURT RULING IN FAVOUR OF SANRAL AGAINST OUTA

Pretoria, 14 November 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) welcomes the Gauteng High Court’s decision to dismiss with costs an application by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) for access to information.

OUTA had approached the court with an application to force SANRAL, in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), to give OUTA documents related to a tender awarded to N3TC, a private company which won a contract for the construction and management of a portion of the N3 highway between Heildelberg South in Gauteng and Cedara in KwaZulu-Natal.
Judge Anthony Millar heard the matter on 10 October 2023 and handed down his judgment today, 14 November 2023.
In refusing the application, Judge Millar noted that despite OUTA’s application for access to the main contract, the organisation did not disclose to the court that the document it sought was apparently already publicly available.

The court was unequivocal in rejecting the application stating that “OUTA inexplicably failed to place before the Court, when it was clearly able to do so, the main agreement or portions thereof that it had in its possession”.

In rejecting OUTA’s application for documentation from SANRAL that related to contracts entered into between N3TC and third parties, the court found that SANRAL does not have these document in its possession and that “in any event, those contracts are private contracts entered into between N3TC and other parties. SANRAL is not party to those private contracts.
“PAIA does not require that the party from whom information is requested must embark upon a process to obtain information or documents that are not already in their possession,” the court noted.

The court noted that Section 36 of the Act makes clear that SANRAL should refuse access if N3TC does not agree to it being provided to OUTA in circumstances where the information was commercially sensitive. The court added that Section 36(1) of PAIA provides that access to a record must be refused if it contains (b) financial, commercial, scientific or technical information, other than trade secrets, of a third party, the disclosure of which would be likely to cause harm to the commercial or financial interests of that third party.

In refusing OUTA’s public interest override as contained in Section 46 of PAIA, the court stated: “The main contract for which SANRAL issued and awarded a tender was already a public document by the time the present proceedings were brought. Having found that OUTA already had the main contract or at least substantial portions of it, it is apparent that the present application has nothing to do with the award of that contract.

“The present case concerns the implementation of the contract. It was neither argued nor was any case made out that N3TC had failed to comply with its obligations in terms of the main agreement and to deliver that for which it had been contracted.
“The making of profit, in a private company, is an everyday commercial consequence and is not in and of itself a matter which requires disclosure in the public interest.

“For the reasons set out above, I find that the public interest override finds no application in respect of the disputed documents and accordingly the application fails,” said Judge Millar.

Vusi Mona, SANRAL’s General Manager for Communications and Marketing welcomed the judgment, saying the court’s findings rejected the notion that the roads agency was involved in any nefarious activity. “The perception created in the public mind by OUTA has now been firmly rejected by the court and it should be a lesson to those who are making unfounded allegations against SANRAL. We have been vindicated,” said Mr Mona.

“As a State-Owned Entity, we follow all the prescripts of the law related to the disclosure of information. Such allegations create unnecessary speculation and negativity, which in turn has a negative impact on SANRAL’s reputation. We are pleased that the court has now pronounced decisively on these baseless attempts to impugn the reputation of SANRAL,” added Mr Mona.

MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL takes public consultation on proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy to the Eastern Cape

Eastern Cape, 13 November 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) continued its series of public consultations on a proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) in the Eastern Cape on Monday.

The main session for the Eastern Cape was held at the SANRAL regional office in Gqeberha with other participants linking in virtually from a satellite venue at the Mayfair Hotel in Mthatha.

The sessions were attended by business and industry bodies, including the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC), South African Women in Construction (SAWIC), African Chamber of Business (ACOB), King Sabata Dalindyebo Business Council, as well as small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) and, interested and affected parties.

“Transformation is the core of SANRAL’s operating model. It has become that social compact that binds us with the stakeholders where we operate. It has become a social licence for us to operate,” said the Chief Executive Officer of SANRAL, Reginald Demana.

“The cake is big enough to accommodate all of us. So there really shouldn’t be any fighting. We need to find a balance in how we work. We believe in transforming lives and leaving people better off than we found them,” said Demana.

Demana said the roads agency would soon launch a contractor development programme and a black industrialist scheme. These are aimed at capacitating emerging enterprises to enable accelerated growth and to promote their meaningful participation in the construction sector.

SANRAL’s acting Transformation Manager, Tshegare Moletsane, said the roads agency would in the next financial year implement a training and mentorship incubation programme targeting business graded 5CE to 7CE.

“SANRAL is resolute in its intent to ensure targeted enterprises which include black-owned businesses – particularly those owned by women, youth, military veterans and people with disabilities – become meaningful participants in projects and become black industrialists,” said SANRAL Regional Manager, Mbulelo Peterson.

Demana said the Board’s decision to withdraw SANRAL’s new Preferential Procurement Policy was a difficult but bold one made in the interest of service delivery.

“We want to process the public’s input by end of next week and finalise the interim policy to go out to tender with new contracts by end of November,” he explained.

“We do have differences, but we must have differences that are productive and progressive. I plead with the industry that, in the interest of the country, we must find constructive ways of engaging,” said Demana.

Stakeholders commended SANRAL for its transformation efforts and expressed their full support for the procurement policy.

“We are tired of the 30% subcontracting, we need 50% subcontracting to SMMEs,” said Luvuyo Popo, president of ACOB.

Chairperson of SAWIC in the Eastern Cape, Nomfanelo Bojana, said they were fully behind the procurement policy and would want to see the 30% stake being increased and SANRAL assisting women-owned SMMEs with access to markets.

“SANRAL must train us in ISO standards to enable us to bid alongside the big players. We also need more opportunities for women in construction,” she said.

SANRAL was urged to reserve routine maintenance contracts for emerging contractors as the big companies were already dominating conventional projects. There were proposals to intensify construction training for emerging contractors and to address the prevailing exploitation of emerging contractors by the main contractors on site.

Demana said the Public Procurement Bill before Parliament – the purpose of which is to create a single piece of national legislation that regulates public procurement, including preferential procurement – would impact what SANRAL’s long-term procurement policy would look like.

The proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) is open for comment until 17 November 2023. The document can be found on SANRAL’s website (www.nra.co.za) and on various social media platforms.

Embedded within the policy document is an email address (commentsppp@nra.co.za) to enable stakeholders to submit their comments.

 

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL takes public consultation on proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy to the Free State

Mangaung, 12 November 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) on Friday, 10 November 2023, hosted the third in a series of public consultations on a proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) in Free State.
The main session was held at the Mangaung Metro Municipality Hall with participants, who were linked virtually, also gathered at satellite venues in Matjhabeng and Smithfield.

SANRAL’s Chief Legal, Risk and Compliance Officer, Kaiser Khoza, and Regional Manager for the Eastern Region, Dumisani Nkabinde, as well as other interested and affected parties engaged with local construction stakeholders and various interested parties on the proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) and related matters.

“Transformation underpins South Africa’s democracy and previously disadvantaged black South Africans are running out of patience following years of being on the economic periphery picking up crumbs from SANRAL projects,” said Khoza.
He appealed to all stakeholders in the construction sector to engage with the issues surrounding transformation to allow them to make meaningful input into the new PPP.

Acting Transformation Manager, Tshegare Moletsane, underscored SANRAL’s unwavering resolve to entrench transformation in its operations with the aim of accelerating the development and growth of SMMEs.

“SANRAL is in the process of designing a contractor development programme aimed at ensuring targeted enterprises – which includes black-owned SMMEs and enterprises owned by women youth, military veterans and people with disabilities – are progressively advancing in their Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) grading, ensuring that designated enterprises participate more meaningfully in SANRAL projects,” said Moletsane.

SMMEs in attendance unanimously supported SANRAL’s resolve to deliver a more progressive final PPP in the not-so-distant future. However, an appeal was made for the agency to consider more consultation with black SMMEs so that the
beneficiaries fully understand the policy aimed at improving their lives. SMMEs implored SANRAL to involve organised black business structures for support before court challenges.

In his closing remarks, Khoza said the seemingly perpetual riches of the previously advantaged companies in South Africa was not sustainable amid a sea of poverty.

The proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) is open for comment for three (3) weeks until 17 November 2023. The document can be found on SANRAL’s website (www.nra.co.za) and various social media platforms.

Embedded within the policy document is an email address (commentsppp@nra.co.za) to enable stakeholders to submit their comments.

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL HOSTS FURTHER PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS ON INTERIM PREFERENTIAL PROCUREMENT POLICY

Pretoria, 10 November 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) will host further public consultations on a proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) from Monday 13 November 2023 until 17 November 2023.
The stakeholder engagements will take place in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North-West and form part of SANRAL’s national roadshow of consultations with interested and affected parties on the proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy.

The consultations follow SANRAL’s announcement on 24 October 2023 of the withdrawal of its new Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) which the SANRAL Board had adopted in May 2023.

The decision to withdraw the new PPP was taken by the Board on 23 October 2023 after careful consideration of the legal challenges to the policy launched by construction companies in various courts across the country.

These legal challenges would have prevented SANRAL from processing some 80 tenders worth billions of Rands, with significant negative consequences for the fulfilment of the roads agency’s constitutional and statutory mandate.
The last round of public consultation engagements will take place as follows:

Eastern Cape: Monday, 13 November 2023 at 12h00. The main venue will be the SANRAL regional office in Gqeberha and the satellite venue is the Mayfair Hotel in Mthatha.

Limpopo and Mpumalanga: Wednesday, 15 November 2023 at 09h00. The main venue will be Bolivia Lodge in Polokwane and the satellite venues are Kingdoms Lodge in Groblersdal, Nutting House Lodge in Nelspruit and McBest Guesthouse in Ermelo.

Gauteng and North-West: Friday, 17 November 2023 at 12h00. The main venue will be SANRAL’s Head office in Pretoria and the satellite venues are Ngwenya Lodge in Klerksdorp and Kings Palace in Rustenburg.

SANRAL urges all interested and affected stakeholders to participate in this consultative process to facilitate a speedy resolution to any potential obstacles that would delay the roads agency from meeting its mandate to build and maintain the country’s road infrastructure network and pursue its transformation objectives.

Last week SANRAL concluded public consultation sessions in the Western Cape and Northern Cape on 31 October, KwaZulu Natal on 8 November and the Free State on 10 November.

For further information please contact: Buli Mgojo on 078 007 5787 or Hendrik Tolomo on 067 410 4329 or Siya Khuzwayo on 083 260 3555 or email sanral@fticonsulting.com

SANRAL announces work will soon start on partial reconstruction of R21 national road in Gauteng

14km reconstruction between Pomona Road close to OR Tambo International Airport and Olifantsfontein Road Pretoria,

9 November 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced a R309 million project to reconstruct 14km of the R21 National Road in Gauteng. The project stretches from the Pomona Road Interchange close to OR Tambo International Airport to the Olifantsfontein Road Interchange in the direction of Pretoria.

Progress Hlahla, head of SANRAL’s Northern Region, said the reconstruction of the R21 was set to start early in 2024 after a three-month mobilisation period for the contractor, followed by a 24-month construction period.

“The R21 is a critical artery in South Africa’s transportation network and this reconstruction of 14km will significantly improve its current condition and enhance mobility. The R21 is a priority for SANRAL because of the role that it plays in moving people, goods and services. It handles a massive amount of traffic, with an average daily volume of over 45,000 vehicles in each direction, 11 per cent of which is heavy vehicles,” said Hlahla.

To minimise disruptions for road users, the project will include a comprehensive traffic accommodation plan to carefully manage lane closures and ensure minimal impact during peak traffic hours. A combination of daytime and night-time work will be carried out during off-peak periods to minimise inconvenience to road users. Short-term closures will be limited to off-peak periods only where practical. The safety of motorists and construction workers is paramount and will be prioritised at all times.

In line with SANRAL’s transformation agenda for the construction industry, the project will place an emphasis on the inclusion of Targeted Enterprises i.e. SMMEs, especially those owned by women, youth, people with disabilities and military veterans. With this approach, SANRAL supports local economic growth and job creation.

“During the construction phase, at least 30% of the contract value will be subcontracted to Targeted Enterprises and a minimum of six percent (6%) earmarked for Targeted Labour. This project promises to revitalise a critical artery of South Africa’s transportation network whilst giving effect to SANRAL’s transformation objectives. Road users can anticipate light traffic disruptions over the coming months but can ultimately look forward to improved riding quality, better surface drainage and enhanced road safety when the project is complete,” said Hlahla.

SANRAL awarded the contract to construction firm Roadmac Surfacing (Pty) Ltd. The roads agency has also appointed consulting engineering firm KBK Engineers (Pty) Ltd, who will supervise the construction process and ensure the project adheres to the highest standards of quality and safety.

The scope of work on the project includes the repair and maintenance of the road infrastructure as follows:
• Main Carriageway Fast Lanes: Surface repairs;
• Main Carriageway Slow Lanes: Surface repairs;
• Emergency Lanes and Inner Shoulders: Addressing defects with crack sealing and patching;
• Resurfacing (Friction Course): New friction course (UTFC) over the full width of the carriageways;
• Ramps and Cross Roads: Sealing cracks, patching localised failures and new asphalt levelling course; and,
• Bridge Decks: Mill and replace surfacing and installation of new asphaltic plug-type joints.

MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL takes public consultations on interim Preferential Procurement Policy to Free State

Pietermaritzburg, 8 November 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) will on Friday, 10 November 2023, continue its series of stakeholder engagement sessions at various venues in and around Free State as part of public consultations on an Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP).

The main stakeholder engagement session in Free State will take place in Rose Hall, Bloemfontein, and will also be linked virtually to venues in Welkom and Smithfield.

The decision to withdraw SANRAL’s new Preferential Procurement Policy which came into effect in May 2023 was taken by the Board on 23 October 2023 after careful consideration of the legal challenges to the policy launched by construction companies in various courts across the country.

These legal challenges would have prevented SANRAL from processing some 80 tenders worth billions of Rands, with significant negative consequences for the fulfilment of the roads agency’s constitutional and statutory mandate.

The purpose of the stakeholder engagement meetings is to enable SANRAL to receive inputs and contributions from interested and affected stakeholders to present a roadmap for implementation of the interim PPP.

SANRAL urges all interested and affected stakeholders to participate in this consultative process to facilitate a speedy resolution to any potential obstacles that would delay the roads agency from meeting its mandate to build and maintain the country’s road infrastructure network and pursue its transformation objectives.

Details of the stakeholder engagement sessions are as follows:

Time: 09h00-11h00

Main venue:

• • Bloemfontein – Rose Hall

Satellite venues:

• • Welkom – Ferdi Meyer Hall
• • Smithfield – Trompsburg Town Hall

For further information please contact: Zenzele Bam on 072 891 5290 or Siyabonga Khuzwayo on 083 260 3555 or sanral@fticonsulting.com

 

MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL takes public consultation on proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) to KZN

Pietermaritzburg, 8 November 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) today hosted the second of a series of engagements at various venues throughout the country to consult stakeholders on a proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP).

The stakeholder engagement session took place at Pietermaritzburg City Hall in Msunduzi Local Municipality, while participants also gathered at satellite venues in Durban, Kokstad and Jozini, which were linked virtually to the main hall.

SANRAL CEO Reginald Demana, Regional Manager Dumisani Nkabinde and other senior SANRAL representatives engaged with interested and affected stakeholders on the proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) and related matters.

Addressing the meetings, Mr Demana said SANRAL’s role in South Africa’s economic system was critically important and the roads agency was therefore at the centre of driving transformation in the roads sector. It was for this reason that transformation and preferential procurement was so important for SANRAL. “Our roads cut across provinces, municipalities and many communities. In the work that we do we have to continue to look at transforming lives. We say we are more than roads, we build wealth through infrastructure and we want to help to transform the lives, of everyone we come across as we build and maintain our road infrastructure so that we leave wherever we pass through in a better place than we found it, so it is a social licence to operate,” said Demana.

Mr Demana also said transformation continued to be a very contentious issue in the country, especially considering that the economy was not growing, which meant that economic opportunities were limited, and therefore competition for those limited opportunities was very high.

“There are those who want to protect what they have and protect their market share and their position and of course we also want to make sure that we don’t leave people behind. As the president says ‘leave no one behind’.

SANRAL would continue to use the procurement power and budgets it had to foster transformation and to make sure that we leave a meaningful impact wherever we operate. “That’s a commitment you will continue to see from SANRAL.”

SMMEs in attendance said they would support the proposed interim PPP but expressed deep unhappiness that transformation was not taking place at a pace which empowered black people.

Mr Wonder Jaca, Deputy Secretary General of the Black Business Federation (BBF) stated his organisation’s support for the interim PPP and apologised on behalf of all SMMEs owned by previously disadvantaged South Africans for not sufficiently participating in policy debates.

In response to SMMEs’ concerns regarding slow progress in advancing transformation, Mr Kaiser Khoza, SANRAL’s Chief Legal, Risk and Compliance Officer, assured SMMEs that SANRAL is deeply committed to transformation and would soon be drafting a final PPP which will also undergo public participation.

The proposed Interim Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) is open for comment for three (3) weeks until 17 November 2023. The document can be found on SANRAL’s website (www.nra.co.za) and various social media platforms. Embedded within the policy document is an email address (commentsppp@nra.co.za) to enable stakeholders to submit their comments.

//Ends

Issued

 

MEDIA RELEASE

Construction begins on R1.9bn N3 upgrade from Murray Road (Gladys Manzi Road) to New England Road Interchange

KwaZulu-Natal, 8 November 2023 – Motorists travelling on Section 3 of the N3 between Gladys Manzi Road and New England Road Interchange will experience traffic disruptions as major construction and upgrading of the route has begun.

The R1.91-billion project is expected to take 44 months, according to the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL).

Construction on Gladys Manzi Road (km 5.9) to New England Road Interchange (km 9.0) will upgrade the existing cross-section of the N3 from two northbound and three southbound lanes to four northbound and five southbound lanes per carriageway.

SANRAL embarked on a three-month mobilisation period which included community engagements and procurement planning for targeted enterprises. These were concluded on 19 September 2023.

“Motorists and road users are advised that the impact of the construction on traffic will be significant,” said Hugh Brooks, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

“We will endeavour to always keep a four-lane single carriageway shared by both the northbound and southbound traffic within the project limits. A two-lane traffic flow in each direction will be maintained on the N3, with minimal disruption to the traffic once traffic control measures are in place.”

Traffic accommodation would commence immediately and continue for the duration of the project, he added.

“Traffic will be accommodated safely on alternative routes when major incidents occur within the construction zone. We appeal to road users to note and comply with the advance warning signs and speed restrictions when travelling past the construction work zones.

“To prioritise the safety of both construction workers and road users, the speed limit along the route will be reduced to 40km/h for heavy vehicles and 60km/h for light motor vehicles during construction. Motorists are encouraged to plan their trips accordingly and to make provision for the additional travel time.”

Constructing the two new carriageways in a way that had the least impact on the travelling public required the division of the project into three distinct construction phases that can be summarised as follows:

• Phase 1: Roadworks

• N3 Section 3 km 7.3 to km 8.9 both northbound and southbound, including widening of N3 southbound slow lane, northbound slow lane and median. Ramps associated with the upgrade are included.
• New link road from Market Road km 1.18 to km 1.68 (500m) to Cleland Road east of interchange.
• Market Road CBD to Alan Paton Drive.
• Upgrading of Market Road west of N3.
• Upgrading of Cleland Road from Murray Road to Mkondeni Spruit.
• Upgrading of Gladys Manzi/Murray Road including bridge approaches.
• Maintenance work on Washington Road.

 

Phase 1: Structures 

• New Market Bridge km 6.752 on N3.
• Widening of Market Road rail bridge.
• Market Road bridge over Cleland Road.
• Cleland Road culvert demolition and construction km 0.700.
• Extension of existing culvert under Market Road Interchange Ramp A.
• Murray Road Overpass (Gladys Manzi Bridge).
• Epworth Underpass bridge and IC culvert extensions.
• Blackburrow Bridge over N3.

 

Phase 2: Roadworks

• N3 Section 3 5.9km – 8.6km SBC widening, including median and fast lanes.
• N3 Section 3 5.9km – 8.6km NBC widening, including median and fast lanes.
• Upgrading of Washington Road.
• Upgrading of Blackburrow Road.

Phase 3: Finishing  

• Electrical works, gantries and landscaping.

Initial stages of construction will consist of major maintenance work along the N3 and the alternative routes, as well as work within the greenfield sections. The patching, milling and asphalt overlays on the alternative routes will commence from November 2023 until July 2026, and Stop/Go restrictions will be in place. The maintenance work on the N3 will commence in early January 2024 and conclude in December 2024.

Work to be carried out on the 3.10km stretch of the N3 route concerned will include:

i. Accommodation of traffic.

ii. The existing cross-section of the N3 will be widened from 2 (NB) and 3 (SB) lanes to 4 (NB) and 5 (SB) lanes per carriageway. This will result in an average increase in surfaced width from 10.4m per carriageway to widths of between 17.4m and 21.1m per carriageway.

iii. The construction of new bridges and demolition of existing bridges. Eight bridges are included in the construction.

iv. Maintenance on various provincial roads, including patching, asphalt overlay and gravel wearing course. These roads will be used as alternative routes during incident management.

v. Additional access to the east side of the N3 will be provided by a new link road from the interchange to join Cleland Road.

vi. The layout of Epworth Interchange, while generally unchanged, will be improved in terms of how traffic from the interchange accesses the N3 and Market Road.

vii. Full reconstruction of the N3 pavement layers, with a Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) base.

viii. The construction of a concrete median barrier between the carriageways.

ix. The N3 southbound carriageway will be realigned both horizontally and vertically to allow for improvements to the Epworth Interchange.

x. The relocation and accommodation of services.

xi. Stormwater improvements along the N3 carriageways including pipe crossings, subsurface drainage systems, concrete and earth drains, cut-off drains at cuttings, manholes and grid inlets.

xii. The construction of earthworks, including high fills and large cuttings.

xiii. Stabilising cuttings using horizontal drains, drainage blanket layers, gabions, soil nails and shotcrete.

xiv. Operation, management, finishing off and rehabilitation of on-site material excavations.

xv. Crushing and screening of material.

xvi. Demolition of structures.

xvii. Construction of concrete retaining walls and Mechanical Stabilised Earth (MSE) walls to support cuttings and fills.

xviii. Construction of four major culverts.

xix. Construction of gabions for structural and drainage purposes.

xx. Other ancillary road improvement elements consisting of guardrails, road sign gantries, road signs, road markings, road studs, median barriers, stock-proof, and security fencing.

xxi. Landscaping.

xxii. Market Road Interchange is to be upgraded to Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI).

xxiii. West of the DDI, Market Road will be widened from 1 and 2 lanes per direction to 3 lanes per direction. This upgrade extends up to and includes the intersection with Washington Road (R103) as well as the intersection with Van Eck Place.

xxiv. Gladys Manzi Road existing bridge over the N3 is to be demolished and reconstructed.

xxv. Blackburrow Road existing bridge over the N3 is to be demolished and reconstructed.

xxvi. Cleland Road will be realigned both horizontally and vertically between the new intersection with Market Road and the realigned intersection with Gladys Manzi Road.

xxvii. Gladys Manzi Road and Blackburrow Road will be realigned vertically to accommodate the new bridge overpasses over the N3. Gladys Manzi will be adjusted horizontally to allow for future widening from the current 1 lane per direction to 2 lanes per direction.

According to SANRAL, affected areas are Hayfields, Scottsville, Mkondeni, Epworth, The Meadows, Cleland and Bellevue.

The construction will also impact all motorists who travel to major destinations from Pietermaritzburg, including the Durban Port, Pietermaritzburg Airport and King Shaka International Airport.

SANRAL has also embarked on an extensive communication plan to ensure that the public is fully aware of the N3 upgrade and various considerations to reduce travel time over the next 8 to 10 years.

SANRAL has suggested that during the period of the construction the following alternative routes to the N3 are considered for use by motorists:

• • R103 / R56 / Alexandra Drive.
• • R103 / Washington Road.
• • R103 / Ritchie Road.
• • New England Road.
• • Alan Paton Road.
• • Market Road.
• • Cleland Road.
• • Blackburrow Road.
• • Gladys Manzi (Murray) Road.
• • Pope Ellis Drive.

“SANRAL would like to apologise to all motorists and road users for the inconvenience caused due to the necessary upgrades and realignment. Safety and security for all road users is the ultimate priority of the agency and we will ensure that we keep the disruptions at a manageable level,” Brooks said.