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Thanks to SANRAL, Limpopo women are now doing it for themselves

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Thanks to SANRAL, Limpopo women are now doing it for themselves

Friday, 2 June 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has paved the path to progress for women contractors in Limpopo with the upgrading of the narrow R37 road between Burgersfort and Polokwane.

Local SMME Tinyosi Investment was facing closure when owner Mmamorena Tlakale secured a subcontracting opportunity with the roads agency.

Registered in 2020, the Mashifane Park, Burgersfort, business struggled to take off and desperately needed a contract to stay open.

Said Tlakale: “The business was on the verge of collapse. Through this project, I have gained knowledge in the construction industry and skills in cement work.

“SANRAL also taught me the proper way of bidding, professionalism, and quality control. Thanks to all this, I’m gaining ground in the construction industry.”

Tlakale said the R37 upgrade was her first project and Tinyosi Investment is tasked with cement work on site.

“I would not be where I am today if it was not for SANRAL’s assistance and the training opportunities available to women contractors. I would like to see more women in construction. The support we get from men in the industry is fantastic. The perception that this is a man’s job is changing.
“During my younger years I helped mix the cement to build my family house not knowing I would end up in the construction industry. I love being outdoors and encourage women to pursue construction as a career,” said Tlakele.

An integral part of SANRAL’s Transformation Policy is the opening of doors for stakeholders, local small businesses, communities and business forums on all its national road projects.

Priority is given to black-owned SMMEs that have not done business with SANRAL in the past, with added focus on the empowerment of women, youth and people with disabilities.

The agency allocates 30% of every contract to local SMMEs to empower and grow small businesses in the region of any said project. In addition, SMMEs that work with SANRAL are also afforded various skills development and training benefits for the duration of their sub-contract.

Bogaleng Thsehla, of BMT Royal Kid Laundry and Projects (Pty) LTD, created jobs for 27 people with her first-time sub-contract with SANRAL.
The River-cross mother-of-two started on the R37 project in 2022 on a CIDB Level 1 rating but very soon achieved Level 3.

She was very vocal about the benefits of SANRAL’s SMME training and development programme.

“The project’s scope also includes building sidewalks from intersections to bus bays, the construction of two new bridges and the widening of one other bridge,” said Viljoen.
“The existing single-carriageway road will be improved and new intersections will be established by building six roundabouts at the major intersections. This project aims to improve the safety of pedestrians. The final road section will have four lanes, surfaced shoulders and a painted island.”
The tender value for the R37 upgrade is about R600 million and work is expected to be completed by November.

SANRAL announces road infrastructure project for the upgrading of the R410 from the Komani junction to Cacadu

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Media Release

SANRAL announces road infrastructure project for the upgrading of the R410 from the Komani junction to Cacadu

Eastern Cape, 2 June 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced that it is in the preliminary design stage for the road infrastructure project to upgrade the section of the R410 from the R392/R410 Intersection near Komani to Cacadu (formerly Lady Frere).

SANRAL made the announcement during a stakeholder engagement session held in the Emalahleni Local Municipality, in Cacadu on 31 May 2023. The session was intended to initiate the process for the election of a representative Project Liaison Committee (PLC).

“We are happy to announce that SANRAL is in the preliminary design phase for the road improvement project that will see the widening of the existing road and bridge structures from the R392/R410 Intersection near Komani to Cacadu to meet SANRAL’s standards,” said SANRAL Regional Stakeholder Relations Specialist, Welekazi Ndika.

She further explained that the road improvement project, anticipated to start within the next two years, has a budget estimate of R960 million and will include construction of additional paved shoulders and passing lanes and slope stabilisation at the Nonesi Pass, surfacing over the full length of the road and installation of traffic lights in the Cacadu CBD.

A minimum of 30 per cent of the contract value will be ringfenced for subcontracting opportunities and over 300 job opportunities are anticipated from the upgrading of the R392/R410 Intersection near Komani to Cacadu road infrastructure project.

Ndika further confirmed that SANRAL has appointed Rainbow Civils to implement routine road maintenance along the R410 for patching of potholes to restore the road to a safe state. “Our routine maintenance along the R410 will ascertain the safety requirements of the road, particularly by addressing the potholes that have been a cause for concern to this community,” she said.

The Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) contract covers the R410 Section 1, km 0.00 to 3, km 6.85, National Route R56 Section 4, km 20.09 to Section 7 km 25.71 and the R58 Section 6, km 40.06 to Section 7 km 4.05. The scope of works includes crack sealing and patching of pavements, repairing of pavement layers, edge breaks, edge drops, gravel shoulders slope failures and washaways. The project has a budget estimate of R55.3 million, 30 per cent of which will be reserved for the subcontracting of targeted enterprises.

SANRAL also introduced its national Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) pre-tender training programme that will be implemented in the municipality, focusing on grade 1-4 emerging contractors.

“The training is intended to empower SMMEs to better understand the tendering process and to ensure their meaningful participation in SANRAL tender opportunities without falling victim to the common shortcomings that often lead to their disqualification from the tendering process,” explained Ndika.

Addressing stakeholders, the Mayor of Emalahleni Local Municipality, Councillor Nontombizanele Koni, said that SANRAL’s road infrastructure development efforts would not only improve mobility along the route but would bring socio-economic spinoffs that will go a long way towards empowering the local community through subcontracting and job opportunities.

“The ball is in our court to elect our PLC representatives so as not to hold up the work. Our local economic department will also be instrumental in capacitating our local emerging enterprises to prepare their compliance status that will enable their participation in these projects,” said Cllr Koni.

SANRAL is implementing several other road infrastructure projects within the Emalahleni Local Municipality, including the emergency bridge repairs along the R410 with a budget estimate of R33.5 million, maintenance of the R56 and R369 valued at R56.7 million, special maintenance of the R56 from the N6 to Dordrecht valued at R253 million, special maintenance of the R56 from Dordrecht to Indwe valued at R304 million, as well as the special maintenance of the R56 from Indwe to Elliot and Elliot to Maclear valued at R485 million, of which the latter will be concluding in October.

The Emalahleni Local Municipality is a 17-ward municipality comprising the towns of Cacadu, Indwe and Dordrecht with surrounding farms and villages. Of the municipality’s over 130 000 populace, 27 000 are employed, according to the Emalahleni Local Municipality Integrated Development Plan (IDP) 2022-2027. The municipality, as is the case throughout the country, grapples with a high unemployment rate and limited economic opportunities for the youth.

Stakeholders welcomed SANRAL’s elaborate road infrastructure development programme in the municipality and the prospects of a boosted socio-economic activity and GDP. However, concerns were expressed around SANRAL’s lack of monitoring and evaluation to ensure that its transformation agenda is indeed being implemented on the ground. Concerns around exploitation of subcontractors was also an issue of contention with SANRAL advised to intensify supervision of the often exploitative relationship between the main contractors and subcontractors to ascertain that contract participation goals are being achieved.

In this regard, Ndika highlighted that “as SANRAL we welcome the constructive criticism and will ensure that through our project management teams, monitoring is intensified on site to safeguard the empowerment and development of subcontractors.”

 

 

Blasting scheduled at the MR 0688 and MR 0690 in eQonce

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Blasting scheduled at the MR 0688 and MR 0690 in eQonce

Eastern Cape, 22 May 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to advise travellers that controlled blasting is scheduled to take place at the corner of the MR 0688 and MR 0690 in eQonce (formerly King Williams Town) at 3pm on Thursday, 25 May 2023.
The MR 0688 and MR 690 are currently closed.

The alternative routes through eQonce are as follows:
• Motorists travelling from East London on the N2 into eQonce will not be affected.
• Motorists travelling from Bhisho to East London may take the R63 to eQonce then proceed to the N2 to East London.

“Motorists are asked to plan their trips accordingly and to use caution when making use of the roads. We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.

Intermittent full road closures near Lynnfield Bridge on the N3

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

Intermittent full road closures near Lynnfield Bridge on the N3

Pietermaritzburg, 18 May 2023 – A section of the N3 will be closed intermittently on 22 and 24 May 2023, between 15h00 and 16h00, to facilitate blasting under the Lynnfield Bridge at the N3 Lynnfield (Lion Park) interchange, as part of the upgrade of the R103, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

The intermittent closures will take place between the Ashburton and Dardanelles (Umlaas) interchanges. The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), with the assistance of the contractor’s traffic accommodation team will manage and monitor traffic during both sessions.

As the blasting takes place on the R103, there will be no local alternative route onto which to divert traffic. Motorists can expect to experience substantial delays as the R103 and the N3 will both be closed during the period of the blast.

“The closure may need to be adjusted depending on weather conditions on the day. If that happens, an updated notice with information of the new time will be issued. Motorists are urged to be patient during the closures and to plan and adjust their journeys to ensure they arrive at their destinations on time, while adhering to sign- posted speed limits. SANRAL apologises to road users for any inconvenience caused and thanks them for their patience during road construction,” said SANRAL Project Manager, Ayanda Chagwe.

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

22 May 2023

15h00 to 15h30 – Close N3 and blast on the R103 15h30 to 16h00 – Reopen N3 & R103 for all vehicles

24 May 2023

15h00 to 15h30 – Close N3 and blast on the R103 15h30 to 16h00 – Reopen N3 & R103 for all vehicles

 

Transport Minister to inspect infrastructure at N7 Moorreesburg and Huguenot Tunnel

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MEDIA ALERT

Transport Minister to inspect infrastructure at N7 Moorreesburg and Huguenot Tunnel

Western Cape, 14 May 2023 – Leading up to her budget vote delivery in parliament on Wednesday, 17 May, Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, MP, will be inspecting SANRAL infrastructure upgrades at the N1 Huguenot Tunnel and N7 Moorreesburg on Monday, 15 May.

Monday is also the start of the 7th UN Global Road Safety week, and this year the campaign is observed under the theme “Rethink Mobility”. Minister Chikunga will be engaging road users outside the Huguenot Tunnel Toll Plaza.

SANRAL has invested significantly into road safety and operational upgrades at the Huguenot Tunnel South Bore, particularly geared for smarter mobility. Furthermore, plans are currently in design to commission the second tunnel (North Bore) which will bring the Huguenot Tunnel in line with international standards for road tunnels.

The R600 million upgrade of the N7, between Malmesbury and Mooreesburg, is nearing the halfway mark and the Minister will be inspecting the works completed to date. The scope of works involves widening the cross section of the N7 for approximately 25km and the construction of additional climbing lanes to create more passing opportunities, especially given the high volume of heavy vehicles on the Cape Namibia route.

There will be opportunities for interviews and photographs:

Date: Monday15May2023 Time: 10h00 – N7 site visit

12h00 – Huguenot Tunnel site visit

Transport is available from the SANRAL office, 1 Havenga Street Upper Oakdale. The bus departs for the N7 at 08h30.

Members of the media are requested to RSVP or direct enquiries to

sanral@fticonsulting.com

 

R28 million repairs to bridges between Richards Bay and Pongola to start in June 2023

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MEDIA RELEASE

R28 million repairs to bridges between Richards Bay and Pongola to start in June 2023

Richards Bay, 12 May 2023 – Repairs to Nseleni River Bridge, Safari Hotel Bridge and Pongola River Bridge on National Route 2 (N2) are set to begin in June 2023, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

The project is located between Richards Bay and Pongola on the N2 and falls within the King Cetshwayo and Zululand district municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal.

“The rehabilitation on these bridges is expected to begin in June 2023, starting with the temporary access platform at the Nseleni River Bridge under the N2. Under this eight-month contract, the works will include collision repair to barriers and edge beams, strengthening of the bridge deck cantilevers, and the replacement of movement bearings. Further construction work on the bridges includes minor work such as crack sealing and replacement of damaged movement joints,” said Serisha Sukraj, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

The construction supervision will be undertaken by Naidu Consulting and the contract allows for targeted enterprises and labour involvement under the contract participation goals.

There will be lane closures but deviations will be implemented to ensure the continuous flow of traffic. In most cases two-way traffic will be maintained with lane width restrictions accompanied by traffic control measures. Motorists are encouraged to plan their trips accordingly, and to make provision for the additional travel time.

“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 the construction works and road users, the speed limit along the route will be reduced during construction,” said Sukraj.

 

N4 protests result in fatality

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Media Release
N4 protests result in fatality

Pretoria, 12 May 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has learned with regret of the sad fatality of which occurred today because of the service delivery protests which have been taking place since Tuesday on the N4 route between Balmoral Interchange and the N4/N12 split near eMalahleni.

According to a report by the South African Police Services in Middleburg, an incident occurred in the closed off area where a vehicle said to be travelling on the N4 collided with a burnt truck resulting in one fatality. It is alleged that the vehicle made a U-turn on the N4 to avoid the protesters.

Solange Soares, Communications Manager from TRAC said protesters are no longer on the scene and the Eastbound carriageway has been opened to traffic.

“We are still assessing the damage and once completed our teams will start clearing the scene. The teams will also continue to do traffic accommodation until the clean-up is completed” she said.

SANRAL will continue to monitor the situation and update the public on further developments regarding the matter.

Road users requiring real-time information are urged to follow @TRACN4Route on Twitter or call the TRAC 24-hour Helpdesk in South Africa on 0800 87 22 64 (toll-free) or 082 881 4444 and in Mozambique on 800 9022.

 

Road closure and possible delays on N4 due to protests

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Traffic Advisory
Road closure and possible delays on N4 due to protests

Pretoria, 11 May 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to alert motorists to road closures and possible traffic delays on the N4 route between Balmoral Interchange and the N4/N12 split near eMalahleni, due to service delivery protests this week.

The protests commenced on Tuesday evening and due to their violent nature, the route patrol services by TRAC Concessionaires, TRACAssist, were forced to close that section of the road as a precautionary safety measure.

SANRAL spokesperson, Vusi Mona, said both the roads agency and TRAC had to act swiftly to mitigate the situation and introduce the closure to protect the lives of road users.

“Protesters blockaded the road with burnt trucks and other objects due to services delivery protests in Emalahleni, which have unfortunately spilled to the N4. We have been working closely with TRAC and the local law enforcement authorities attending to the scene to manage the situation and ensure minimum disruptions to the safe movement of goods and people,” he said.

Mona confirmed that the TRACAssist teams are also on site, assisting with traffic management and directing road users to alternative routes.

Solange Soares, Communications Manager from TRAC said they respect the right for peaceful protests, as per the South African Constitution. However, the company

condemns demonstrations which poses a safety and security threat to road users and cause damage to property.

While this situation persists, SANRAL urges motorists to avoid this area and use the following alternative routes to reach their destinations:

 

• Westbound (towards Tshwane)

After Middelburg Plaza take the N12 at the N4/N12 split, proceed for approximately 70km then take the Delmas off ramp which leads to Bronkhorstspruit (R42) from where the N4 can be reached again.

• Eastbound (towards Maputo)

Take the Bronkhorstspruit Interchange (R42) towards Delmas, then join the N12 which joins the N4 just before the Middelburg Plaza.

SANRAL apologises to road users for any inconvenience caused and commits to continue putting their safety first in such situations.
Road users requiring real-time information are urged to follow @TRACN4Route on Twitter or call the TRAC 24-hour Helpdesk in South Africa on 0800 87 22 64 (toll-free) or 082 881 4444 and in Mozambique on 800 9022.

SANRAL and KSD Local Municipality assess state of R411 Coffee Bay road

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MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL and KSD Local Municipality assess state of R411 Coffee Bay road

Eastern Cape, 11 May 2023 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) and the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality conducted an inter-governmental site assessment of the R411 Viedgesville to Coffee Bay road on Wednesday, 10 May 2023.

A delegation led by a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) of KSD Local Municipality, Councillor Ziyanda Nokayi, and SANRAL’s Southern Regional Manager, Mr Mbulelo Peterson, embarked on a site assessment to evaluate progress in emergency repairs on the R411 Viedgesville to Coffee Bay road – a major road leading to the popular tourist town.

“Today’s site visit was three-pronged in that we sought to assess progress made in the emergency pothole repair work that commenced last November after our appointment of the contractor, Rainbow Civils,” said Peterson.

“The visit also sought to assess the extent of damage to the three bridges that collapsed along the road from the floods that hit the Coffee Bay area in March this year, and to introduce to the municipality the contractor, Razzmatazz, which was appointed on 5 May 2023.”

Peterson explained that SANRAL had facilitated the site visit to introduce the contractor to the municipality, the local leadership (iNkosi and Ward Councillor) and Project Liaison Committee (PLC) to enable prompt commencement of work to restore the approaches to the bridge structures and, in turn, accessibility for the surrounding communities.

“As KSD Local Municipality, we appreciate that SANRAL has delivered on their promise that the potholes on this road would be attended to with urgency. We are happy with the progress and with SANRAL’s work in this community. We also understand that the bigger project that was announced by the former Transport Minister will be implemented in the next three to four years and look forward to that,” said Councillor Nokayi.

Derrick Mdibaniso, a member of the Mqanduli Taxi Association, who is also a PLC member for the bridge repairs project, commended the difference made by the pothole repairs done thus far along this route, which is also a taxi route, and looks forward to completion of all the repairs, especially towards the second half of the road that is in very bad condition.

The R411 Viedgesville to Coffee Bay road was transferred from a provincial road to SANRAL’s portfolio in August 2022. When SANRAL took over the 75km stretch of road, the first 30km of the road was in a fair condition, with evidence of isolated potholes, and the next 35km in a very bad condition. The road suffered further damage following floods experienced earlier this year, which worsened its poor state and led to the washaway of the approaches to the three bridges.

The emergency repairs, started last year by Rainbow Civils, are focused on pothole repairs, drainage systems, edge build-up removal and construction of edge beams where required, shoulder repairs where high drop offs are encountered, and pavement construction. The repairs have reached their halfway mark and completion is anticipated at the end of August. Four local SMMEs will be subcontracted thus far and more are expected to be engaged. This emergency contract will create up to 45 job opportunities on completion.

Mkhuseli Tofa of Kula Afrika Projects, a local company subcontracted for layer works on the emergency repair contract says this is a great opportunity that will see his company upgrading from a grade 7CE to a grade 8CE in 2024. “I am learning something new every day on this contract, especially with SANRAL’s road construction standards that we must adhere to,” he said.

The bridge repairs contract commenced on 9 May 2023. It is currently in the mobilisation phase and anticipated to conclude within a 12-month period. A minimum of 30 percent of the R80 million contract value will be subcontracted to targeted enterprises.

Councillor Nokayi said that the local leadership and the fully-representative elected PLC structure would ensure that the project is implemented smoothly and that locals benefit and participate meaningfully in the bridge repair work.

“SANRAL must work closely with the municipality to see how best to enhance the deviation road the municipality constructed after the floods, as this will be used in the interim while the Nenga Bridge is being repaired,” she added.

Peterson pointed to a prevailing challenge with bridge structures across the Eastern Cape province that experience clogging by debris and tree logs, leading to flooding and being washed away. He promised that once SANRAL commences working on the bigger project to reconstruct the Coffee Bay Road in the next three to four years, the three bridges would be assessed and be considered for reconstruction, depending on the outcome of the assessment.

Nkosi Ngubendlovu Pali, of Qhugi Village in Coffee Bay where the Nenga Bridge is situated, welcomed the intervention by SANRAL to fix the three bridges. “It’s been difficult for the community that has been using a ladder to cross the road. That has been especially difficult for the elderly. We are grateful for SANRAL’s intervention to repair the bridges for this community,” he said.

 

Blasting scheduled at the Belstone Interchange

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate

Blasting scheduled at the Belstone Interchange

Eastern Cape, 09 May 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to advise travellers that controlled blasting is scheduled to take place at the new Belstone Interchange in eQonce (formerly King Williams Town) at 3pm on Friday, 12 May 2023.

The blasting operations will take place at the corner of Joubert Street and the MR0688. The MR0688 and Joubert Street are currently closed.

The alternative routes through eQonce are as follows:

• Motorists travelling from East London on the N2 into eQonce will not be affected.

• Motorists travelling from Bhisho to East London may take the R63 to eQonce then proceed to the N2 to East London.

“Motorists are asked to plan their trips accordingly and to use caution when making use of the roads. We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.