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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate

Upgrade of the R336 route between Kirkwood and Addo Phase 2 has begun

Eastern Cape, 11 December 2023: Road users are advised that the R336 road upgrade is in progress between Bezuidenhout River (13km out of Kirkwood Town) and Addo (Intersection of R336/ R335) until 4 August 2025. The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) says once the upgrade is complete, motorists will have a safer and higher mobility road that will support local communities and industry.

The road has been in steady decline due to increased traffic volumes driven by the exponential growth of the citrus industry in the Sundays River Valley and tourists visiting the surrounding Addo National Park.

The project comprises of the upgrading of 17.7 km of the R336 between Kirkwood and Addo: Phase 2 from km 30.5 to km 48.2 road markers.

There are currently two stop-and-go sections on the R336 and will be operational until tomorrow, Tuesday, 12 December 2023. The first stop-and-go section is at Sunland between km 35 and km 37 route marker and the second is at Hermitage between km 46 and km 48 (R336/R335 intersection, Addo). Motorists using the R336 and travelling between Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) to Addo using the R335 can expect to wait approximately 10 minutes per closure.

Once the upgrade is complete, the road will feature improved mobility with wider lanes and shoulders, improved intersections, as well as improved pedestrian facilities where appropriate. This will create a safe mobility environment as well as improving the socio-economic environment as noted below:

• The new improved roads will mean reduced travel time and less maintenance requirements for the citrus farm trucks, transportation industry vehicles and private vehicles.
• The new road construction will also promote public safety through the provision of pedestrian crossings, road marking as well as approved standard warning and regulatory signage.
• It will assist in the alleviation of poverty as there will be job creation for the local community in the maintenance of the road and associated ancillary works.
•  There will be an expected growth and increase in profit margins of the local businesses consequently results in job creation in the local municipality.
•  There will also be growth of the local targeted enterprises (TEs) in terms of the Construction Industry Development Grading (CIDB), which will lead to increased chances of getting work elsewhere.
•  The project will assist with the development and participation of businesses owned by people in designated categories, including black people, women, youth, people with disabilities and military veterans.
•  It will also help with skills development though the internship programme to grow the pool of young professionals locally.

There will be no Stop/Go signs on the section of the road under the Phase 2 contract from tomorrow, Tuesday, 12 December 2023 to Monday, 8 January 2024. However, travellers should note the following:

• Phase 2 starts from Bezuidenhout bridge to the R335/R336 intersection in Addo.
• There will be a step with a difference in height between the two lanes of 150mm due to the ongoing construction process. The step will be from the intersection between the R335 and R336 for 1.5 km towards Kirkwood. Delineators will be maintained over the shutdown period to warn motorists of the height difference. Motorists are urged to abide by the speed limit and not to overtake.
• The road is still a construction site, and motorists are advised to observe the temporary signs and speed limit of 60Km per hour. No overtaking is permitted.
• Motorists travelling from Addo and Kirkwood are advised to familiarise themselves with the Phase 1 traffic advisory.

Alternative Routes:

• Motorists travelling from Motherwell to Kirkwood may take the R334 towards Kariega (Uitenhage), turn North onto the R75 and then take the R336 to Kirkwood.
• There are no alternative routes for motorists travelling from Addo to Kirkwood or from Gqeberha to Addo.

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

 

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL and Northern Cape Government work together, all year round, for safer roads

Northern Cape, 10 December 2023 – While the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) pledges to keep roads safe during the festive season, its commitment to safer roads, in collaboration with the Northern Cape Government, goes way beyond the end of the year.

“There is a marked increase in long-distance traffic over the festive season, warranting more resources deployed to road safety. However, our joint operations and road safety initiatives are in place all year long,” said Randall Cable, SANRAL’s Western Region Manager.

To accommodate increased holiday traffic volumes, all conventional construction work will cease on Thursday, 14 December, until the second week in January 2024. The Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) teams will however remain on standby throughout the holiday period, as they are part of the first responders in the event of any incidents on the national road network.

“Through the Road Incident Management System (RIMS), our RRM teams will be working throughout the festive season to respond to any incident on the roads, assist with road closures and reopening of the road once an incident is cleared,” said Cable.
Some of the RIMS in the Northern Cape is managed through Centralised Communication Centres (CCCs), from where information is dispatched to the relevant unit, to ensure a coordinated and highly effective response, based on the nature of the incident.
• Kimberley (053 833 9264/9290)
• De Aar (053 631 0860/0088 or 073 996 8036)
• Kuruman (053 712 0457/0599 or 087 759 2154)
• Upington (054 337 9700 or 087 759 2153)

Road users may also make use of the South African Police Service (SAPS) emergency number, 10111 or the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) number, 10177.

Location marker boards (or blue marker boards, as they are commonly called) are located every 200m on national routes. These boards give the name of the route, i.e. N7, N10 or N12, the particular section of the road, and the kilometer distance.

“Find your closest board and note the details so that the operator is able to direct the response team to an accurate location,” said Cable.
The road is a shared space to be used responsibly by all road users. SANRAL urges all road users to adhere to the rules of the road and to also ensure that their vehicles are fit for the journey.

“We are still seeing too many serious and fatal crashes caused mainly by poor driver behaviour and choices. These include drunk driving and walking, distracted drivers, speeding, dangerous overtaking and driver fatigue. I do believe that with every individual making a conscious decision to do the right thing, and being the change that we want to see on our roads, we can have a chain reaction of becoming more conscious and more vigilant road users, all committed to putting an end to unnecessary loss of lives on our roads,” said Cable.

MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL will work with all roads agencies to promote safer roads in the Western Cape this festive season

 

Western Cape, 8 December 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has joined hands with provincial and municipal road authorities to collectively work towards safer roads this holiday season.

Multi-disciplinary teams will be deployed around the clock to improve safety and to respond to any calls for assistance from road users.

“To accommodate increased holiday traffic volumes, all conventional construction work will cease on Thursday 14 December, until the second week in January 2024,” said Randall Cable, SANRAL’s Western Region Manager.

The Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) teams will however remain on standby throughout the holiday period, as they are part of the first responders in the event of any incidents on the national road network.

In partnership with the Western Cape Government and the City of Cape Town, SANRAL, through the Freeway Management System (FMS), monitors more than 500km of the busiest freeways.

“Our operators are able to identify and activate the appropriate response to any incident on the FMS freeway network in under three minutes, and the teams works round the clock to assist and keep traffic flowing seamlessly.

Any incident on the road should be reported to the various Central Communication Centres, from where the most appropriate response is dispatched.

• Cape Town Metro 021 480 7700/107
• Cape Winelands 023 346 6000
• Central Karoo 023 449 8000/449 8250
• Garden Route 044 805 5071
• Overberg 028 212 9111
• West Coast 022 433 8700

Location marker boards (or blue marker boards, as they are commonly called) are located every 200m on national routes. These boards give the name of the route, i.e. N1, N2 or N7, the particular section of the road, and the kilometer distance.

“Find your closest board and note the details so that the operator is able to direct the response team to an accurate location,” said Cable.

SANRAL urges all road users to adhere to the rules of the road and to remember that roads are a shared space where the responsibility for road safety is also shared.

“While SANRAL is committed to engineering safer roads, the cooperation of each road user is critical if we are to curb the spate of lives lost on our roads every year. As road users, we need to take individual responsibility to make better road safety choices. From a road authority perspective, we can continue to create an environment that is more forgiving and self-explaining, as well as one which is more conducive to road user compliance. Together we can reduce the carnage on our roads,” said Cable.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY 

Stop/Go traffic accommodation on the N8 between Volop and Griekwastad 

Northern Cape, 4 December 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to inform road users that Stop/Go traffic accommodation will be implemented on the N8 Section 6 between Volop and Griekwastad, from
today (4 December 2023). 

In order to accommodate holiday traffic, works will be suspended on Thursday 14 December 2023, and there will be no further Stop/Go operations until 9 January 2024, when works will resume. 

The scope of work will involve the Periodic Maintenance (pre-treatment and re-seal of the existing road surface) of the N8 Section 6 as well as the improvement or replacement of existing drainage and ancillary works infrastructure. 

“Speed restrictions of 60km per hour will be applied at the work zones and the repairs are expected to be completed by the end of September 2024,” said Ms Jabulile Nyatela, SANRAL’s Western Region Project Manager. Motorists may choose to make use of alternative routes or allow extra time when travelling on this section of the road. 

SANRAL appeals to motorists to adhere to the warning signs, to reduce speed when approaching the construction zones and to plan their trips accordingly.

MEDIA RELEASE
Huguenot Tunnel opened within hours following closure due to nitric acid spill

Western Cape, 4 December 2023 – The Huguenot Tunnel is open to all classes of vehicles, in both directions, following a brief closure on Saturday 2 December, due to a nitric acid spill, the South African Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.
The incident, involving a truck that spilled some of its goods, occurred close to the Toll Plaza, about 5km from the Huguenot Tunnel, and, as a precautionary measure, all traffic was diverted over Du Toits Kloof Pass.

Local Environmental and Fire Services were requested to assist with the initial assessment. It was subsequently discovered that the truck was carrying nitric acid, among various other products, and the necessary evacuation was conducted with immediate effect.
Hazardous spill experts were called in to clean up the spill and the eight 1000 litre containers of nitric acid were safely transferred onto a secondary truck that was certified to carry such hazardous materials.

After a thorough clean-up of the area, it was declared safe for operations and the Toll Plaza and tunnel were opened around 20h00 on Saturday.

“We would like to thank the Drakenstein Local Municipality, Provincial Authorities, SAPS and all other role players for their swift response in averting a potentially life-threatening incident on Saturday. The incident will be fully investigated including the provision of available CCTV footage to the relevant law enforcement authorities,” said Mike Vinello-Lippert, SANRAL Project Manager for the Huguenot Tunnel.

UPDATED TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Demolition of Cleland Overpass on N3 Pietermaritzburg postponed due to upcoming holidays

Pietermaritzburg, 4 December 2023 – The planned closure of the N3 on the night of 9 December 2023 until the morning of 10 December 2023 for the demolition of Cleland Bridge has been postponed, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The upcoming holiday traffic build-up has resulted in us delaying the overpass demolition and associated road closures. The demolition has been postponed to early next year. Details will be communicated in due course,” said Stephné Wilmot, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

SANRAL wishes to apologise to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
CLELAND OVERPASS DEMOLITION WILL RESULT IN ROAD CLOSURE OF N3 NEAR PIETERMARITZBURG

Pietermaritzburg, 3 December 2023 – The N3 will be closed at 18h00 on the night of 9 December 2023 until 06h00 on the morning of 10 December 2023 to facilitate the demolition of Cleland Bridge on the N3, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“Full closures will take place at Ashburton and Market Road interchanges 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 Stephné Wilmot, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

The full N3 road closure will take place as follows:

9 December 2023
18h00 to 00h00 – Close N3 (both directions) and proceed to break the bridge structure.

10 December 2023
00h00 to 06h00 – Complete breaking, clean and reopen N3 (both directions) 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 road users updated on progress and changes to the above through further media statements.

“SANRAL wishes to apologise 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 Wilmot.

Motorists, especially heavy vehicles, are urged to plan their trips to avoid traveling during this period if at all possible, to be patient while driving through the alternative routes, to adhere to the traffic officials commands and to adhere to signage placed and speed limits.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Road closures on N2 between Makhanda and Fish River due to blasting during construction from 5-11 December 2023

Eastern Cape, 1 December 2023: Blasting operations are planned for Tuesday 5 December 2023, Thursday 7 December 2023 and Monday 11 December 2023, all at 14h00. The blasting operation will take place on sections 13 and 14 of the N2 between Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) and Fish River.

The road will be closed on these days from 14h00, for a maximum period of three hours, up to 17h00 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 eQonce (King Williamstown) 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 and turn left onto the N2 and continue on to Gqeberha.

Motorists travelling eastwards between Gqeberha and eQonce 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, then travel on via Alexandria and Port Alfred to East London.
• • From East London, turn left onto the N2 and travel westwards through to eQonce.

“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.

It is anticipated that blasting operations will resume on Monday 15 January 2024.

“SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused,” said Peterson.

 

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL kickstarts multi-billion rand road construction projects after Board approves Interim Preferential Procurement Policy

Pretoria, 29 November 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) will today (Wednesday, 29 November 2023) resume procurement for road construction projects as 86 tenders are expected to be advertised. SANRAL’s Chief Executive Officer, Reginald Demana, has announced that the national roads agency is getting back to business after tenders worth billions of rands were stalled due to a legal impasse between SANRAL and some construction companies.

High priority tenders

Demana said as part of the retender process, SANRAL has reprioritised some of the less complex previously advertised tenders related to consulting engineer appointments and contractor appointments for asset preservation projects. These will be subjected to a shortened retender period to enable their closing by the 14th December 2023, thus enabling SANRAL to commence with tender evaluations during the December period so as to get projects back on track as fast as possible.
“We are making good on our promise to the road construction industry and the South African public that we would move as fast as possible to overcome the legal challenges to our Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) and get the industry back on track,” said Mr Demana.

Why SANRAL is here
The readvertisement of tenders, scheduled to start from today, is the first step toward getting the road construction industry back to normal after all SANRAL tenders were cancelled following the SANRAL Board’s withdrawal of the Preferential Procurement Policy (PPP) which it had adopted in May 2023. The SANRAL Board announced on 24 October 2023 that it had withdrawn the PPP after several construction companies launched legal challenges against the policy.

The withdrawal of the policy was informed by SANRAL prioritising business continuity as it was clear then that with the mounting legal challenges, SANRAL could not put out any work to tender without attracting same. In the interest of avoiding protracted legal battles – which could easily derail SANRAL from fulfilling its core mandate of building and maintaining national roads – and ensuring that the construction industry continues to work, SANRAL Board’s decided to withdraw the policy while at the same
time committing the roads agency to move speedily to consult interested and affected parties on a proposed interim PPP.
It also needs to be said that following the Constitutional Court ruling of 16 February 2022, the determination of a procurement policy was firmly placed within the domain of the individual organs of state – something which in the first place gave rise to SANRAL coming up with the procurement policy that became the subject of court challenges.

Commitment to transformation
SANRAL has been at pains to emphasize that the withdrawal of the policy was no sign of capitulation. It was a pragmatic decision taken to ensure that the procurement of goods and services and service delivery are not interrupted. Themba Mhambi, SANRAL’s Board Chairperson, said: “Our democracy is underpinned by transformation. If there is no transformation, we will fail as a country and organisation. The only way to achieve equality is for SANRAL to make purposeful moves to expand wealth-creation opportunities among black businesses.”

Public participation process
Following the withdrawal of its PPP, SANRAL conducted a series of countrywide public consultation sessions during which numerous verbal and written submissions were made to the roads agency to consider in the formulation of its interim PPP. After considering the inputs of interested and affected parties during the public consultation process which ended last Tuesday, 21 November, the SANRAL Board yesterday adopted the interim policy (which is available on the roads agency’s website www.nra.co.za).

“The SANRAL Board is satisfied that it has taken into account the necessary considerations for the adoption of the Interim PPP, with meaningful, targeted and deliberate consultations with interested and affected parties across the country. We have heard the cries for more aggressive transformation from black business and noted the objections and push-back from other fronts. We remain steadfast in our resolve to ramp up wealth-creation for black contractors, while at the same time being mindful of the importance of working with the big construction companies as we collectively develop South Africa’s economy,” said Mr Demana.
The roads agency started with the public consultation roadshows, which included both contact and virtual sessions, in the Western Cape and Northern Cape on 31 October 2023. It then hosted consultations in the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West and concluded in Gauteng on Friday 17 November 2023, with written comments on the draft interim policy extended to 21 November 2023.

The public consultations were well attended and all oral input as well as the 162 written comments received were considered in determining the way forward, to enable SANRAL to move forward on the much-needed road infrastructure projects across the country.
The advertising and adjudication of tenders will continue whilst SANRAL will also be forging ahead in pursuit of a final Preferential Procurement Policy. This will require further consultation with the industry and SANRAL remains committed to giving effect to this process.

Public Procurement Bill
Meanwhile, SANRAL said it has taken note of the Public Procurement Bill deliberations currently unfolding before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Finance.

“The Treasury revisions and submissions on the Bill, in particular the measures through which an organ of state can provide for preference, resonate with SANRAL. These measures include setting aside specific contracts for preferred groups, applying a points system to provide for preference, using sub-contracting as a condition of tender, applying thresholds for local production and content, and making set-asides mandatory. Some of these elements were contained in our contested procurement policy. We hope the Bill will soon be finalized and we will all have a clear understanding of the broader framework within which we must procure,” said Demana.