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SANRAL appeals to road users to plan their journeys this Easter weekend.

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MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL appeals to road users to plan their journeys this Easter weekend.

Gauteng, 5 April 2023 – Let us commit to stopping road carnage in its tracks! This is the appeal from the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) to road users travelling during the Easter weekend.

“Already we have seen some crashes reported, with the long weekend still looming. While this is not a good start, it should be a wake-up call to road users to do the right thing and make that one decision that can save a life,” said Vusi Mona, SANRAL’s General Manager for Communications and Marketing.

Around Easter we see an increase in traffic volumes on our national roads. The N4 eastbound, will be busy, as it not only links Gauteng to Mpumalanga, but the corridor is a link to Mozambique and eSwatini.

The N3 from Gauteng to KZN is another hugely popular holiday route that will see many people head to the coast for the Easter break and school holidays.

In the Western Cape, the N1 north and the N2 up the Garden Route and into the Eastern Cape are likely to be extremely busy, in both directions, and road users are requested to proceed with caution, courtesy and a realisation that roads are a shared space, for all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.

Through the Freeway Management System (FMS), SANRAL, in partnership with law enforcement agencies, will be monitoring the busiest freeways across the country, to enable a speedy and most appropriate response to any incident on the network. Operators are already detecting and responding to incidents in under three minutes – a critical time when every second counts, to save a life.

Too many avoidable crashes are still taking place due to fatigue and drunken driving. To this end SANRAL’s Road Safety One campaign reminds road users to stay alert, observe road rules and take regular breaks, every two hours or 200km.

Waste management on the road is another area of concern and road users are reminded to not litter, but rather use the bins placed at rest stops along the different routes.

“It is not too late to stop road carnage. Let us take collective responsibility for our safety and that of all other road users, and ensure we all arrive safely home,” said Mona.

 

Upgrade of the R336 route between Kirkwood and Addo has commenced

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate
Upgrade of the R336 route between Kirkwood and Addo has commenced

Eastern Cape, 4 April 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to advise travellers that the R336 road upgrade is in progress between Kirkwood and Addo until 13 June 2024.

Phase one of the upgrade will include stop-and-go sections where motorists must expect to wait approximately 10 minutes at each closure.

The current stop-and-go sections will also be operational over the Easter weekend.

The stop-and-go section at Sonop Street in Kirkwood is between Mimosa Street and Main Street. The alternative route for motorists travelling either from Addo on the R336 heading towards the R75, or vice versa, in town is via Mimosa Street, Middle Street, Shand Street and Whyte Street.

The second stop-and-go section is between km 22 (4km west of Kirkwood) and km 26 (1km west of the Blue Cliff intersection). Motorists travelling from Gqeberha to Kirkwood may use the R75 and turn onto the R336 Kirkwood.

There is no alternative surfaced route for motorists travelling between Addo and Kirkwood.

“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.

Plans to reseal N2 between Jeffreys Bay, Gamtoos River will ease traffic flow, create jobs

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Welekazi Ndika, SANRAL Southern Region’s Stakeholder Coordinator engages stakeholders about plans for the reseal project between Jeffreys Bay and Gamtoos River.

MEDIA RELEASE: IMMEDIATE

Plans to reseal N2 between Jeffreys Bay, Gamtoos River will ease traffic flow, create jobs

Eastern Cape, 1 April 2023 – The reseal of the N2 National Road between the Jeffreys Bay and Gamtoos River in the Eastern Cape Province will improve the surfacing for a smooth and safer travel experience in the area, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

The R57-million project will also create the much-needed job opportunities for the local community and SMMEs of the Sarah Baartman District Municipality.

The adjudication process of the tender is currently underway, and a contractor will be appointed in due course.

Faheem Vahed, SANRAL Southern Region’s Project Manager said: “Work that will be done on the project will include the rehabilitation of the carriageway in the form of crack sealing, fog spray, texture slurry and rut filling. Also included in the scope of work are base repairs, the reseal of the carriageway, clearing and grubbing, traffic accommodation and road markings.

“As is the norm with standard SANRAL practice, 30% of the contract value will be given to local SMMEs; a minimum of 5% of this value will be given to those SMMEs that are at least 51% owned by young people, another 5% will be given to those that are least 51% owned by women and an additional 1% of the contract value will be given to those local SMMEs that are at least 51% owned by military veterans.”

SANRAL’s practice of appointing contractors on its projects is guided by the road agency’s transformation policy. SANRAL’s transformation policy is designed to maximise emerging contractors’ participation and principally benefitting them in the roads agency’s projects.

“Our 14 Point Plan, which is an intervention in ensuring that previously disadvantaged individuals benefit from our projects, continues to assist in ensuring transparency and inclusivity with local communities that will work on SANRAL projects,” said Welekazi Ndika, Stakeholder Coordinator for SANRAL’s Southern Region.

Ndika added: “Through our 14 Point Plan, we envisage to already have established a Project Liaison Committee (PLC) when the project starts. The PLC will assist in creating a platform for project liaison, works execution, subcontracting and facilitating employment opportunities for local community members. All community representatives, including the youth, women, people with disabilities and military veterans, must be represented in the PLC.”

As part of SANRAL’s ongoing efforts to encourage participation by local SMMEs who tender for and work on its projects, the roads agency will provide various training for those who will benefit from the project.

“Pre-tender training will be provided for those SMMEs who will be involved in the project and they will be equipped with the necessary theoretical information and skills required for pursuing a future in construction, managing a business, managing contracts, and equipping them with the necessary skills on how to compile and submit a compliant tender document. This training is targeted at contractors who fall within Grades 1 to 4, as prescribed by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB),” said Ndika.

SMMEs interested in the training programme will be screened and required to submit their CIDB and Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) documents, including tax compliance with the South African Revenue Services (SARS), registration on government’s Central Supplier Database (CSD), and proof of their highest school qualification.

“Owners of SMMEs may also nominate someone to attend the training on their company’s behalf. This will be done by submitting a letter of authority to nominate the person on behalf of the company, proof of residence of the owner of the business, a letter of commitment to attend the training and the adjoining seven days’ assessment. SMMEs will also be required to undergo a mathematical assessment for enrolment on the programme,” concluded Ndika.

 

Blasting scheduled at Breidbach Interchange

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate

Blasting scheduled at Breidbach Interchange

Eastern Cape, 31 March 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) wishes to advise travellers that controlled blasting is scheduled to take place at the Breidbach Interchange on the N2 near eQonce (formerly King Williams Town) at 3pm on Wednesday, 5 April 2023.

The N2, between eQonce and East London and Welkom Street, will be closed for approximately 30 minutes.

The alternative route for motorists coming from the East London side is to take the R102 at the Berlin Interchange and proceed through the Ilitha, Ndevana and Phakamisa townships to join the R346 to eQonce. The diversion is through Zwelitsha. Similarly, from eQonce to East London, motorists are advised to take the R346 towards Zwelitsha and then take the R102 towards Phakamisa, Ndevana and Ilitha townships and then join the N2 at the Berlin Interchange.

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

 

TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON N2 SARNIA ROAD BRIDGE

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UPDATE: TRAFFIC ADVISORY

TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON N2 SARNIA ROAD BRIDGE

Durban 31 March 2023 – Barriers will be placed on the N2 north bound on Monday, 3 April 2023 as part of the ongoing infrastructure improvements on the Sarnia Road Bridge, the South African National Road Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) has said. This will require a temporary slow lane closure from 9h00 to 15h00 on 3 to 4 April 2023.

“Additionally, for the safety of workers and the public, a 70m section of the emergency lane will be temporarily closed for two weeks from 3 to 17 April 2023. We would like to advise motorists to plan their routes accordingly and to allow for extra travel time especially when accessing travel hubs such as airports,” said Serisha Sukraj, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Engineer.

SANRAL apologises for the inconvenience caused to the motorists and road users.

 

Portion of R61 between Libode and Port St Johns closed for heavy vehicles

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate
Portion of R61 between Libode and Port St Johns closed for heavy vehicles

Eastern Cape, 30 March 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to notify motorists that the R61 Section 8, km 57.6 near Ntsimbini Village, and R61 Section 8X, km 4.0 about 800m from Isinuka junction between Libode and Port St Johns, were partially washed away after heavy rainfall in that area recently.
Speed reductions are in effect. For safety reasons the R61 has been reduced to a single lane with stop-and-go controls for light vehicles only at both positions. No vehicles above 8 tons will be allowed through these traffic control points.
The stop-and-go sections are between Dangwana and Ntsimbini villages, 21km from St Barnabus Hospital and 21km from Port St Johns, and the second stop-and-go sections is close to the Isinuka Hot Springs turnoff, 8.5km outside of Port St Johns shown with red dots on the map below.


Caption: The red dots on the map show where the stop-and-go sections are. (Source Google Maps)
The damaged sections are being monitored and any further deterioration and/or heavy rains may force the total closure of the road. For the same reason all heavy vehicles above 8 ton must use the following alternative route: via the N2 through Mount Ayliff (Phakade route), onto the R394 (Magusheni), and then the R61 (through Flagstaff and Lusikisiki to PSJ).


Caption: The map shows the alternate route to be used by heavy vehicles to access Port St John’s from Mthatha
“Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly, adhere to the rules of the road and use caution on the roads,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.

Blasting scheduled at Breidbach Interchange

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate

Blasting scheduled at Breidbach Interchange

Eastern Cape, 29 March 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) wishes to advise travellers that controlled blasting is scheduled to take place at the Breidbach Interchange on the N2 near eQonce (formerly King Williams Town) at 3pm on Friday, 31 March 2023.

The N2, between eQonce and East London and Welkom Street, will be closed for approximately 30 minutes.

The alternative route for motorists coming from the East London side is to take the R102 at the Berlin Interchange and proceed through the Ilitha, Ndevana and Phakamisa townships to join the R346 to eQonce. The diversion is through Zwelitsha. Similarly, from eQonce to East London, motorists are advised to take the R346 towards Zwelitsha and then take the R102 towards Phakamisa, Ndevana and Ilitha townships and then join the N2 at the Berlin Interchange.

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

People with disabilities eager to ‘jump’ at SANRAL opportunities on Mpumalanga’s Moloto Road stretch

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MEDIA RELEASE

People with disabilities eager to ‘jump’ at SANRAL opportunities on Mpumalanga’s Moloto Road stretch

Mpumalanga, 27 March 2023 – Exuding confidence as he rolled into the Kwaggafontein Community Hall, in the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality in Mpumalanga, on his battery-powered wheelchair, dressed to the nines, Themba Sibisi cut a striking figure of a seasoned wheeler and dealer.

Like all the others seated in the hall, Sibisi – a qualified plumber, musician, and rapper – was eager to hear why the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) had sounded out a call to disabled people in the municipality.

When it comes to grabbing an opportunity, Sibisi said he was as quick as the next guy on his designer-shoe-clad feet.

“I am not disabled, just differently abled. I came here with the intention of striking a deal or two. But it seems I got the cart before the horse, because I can only achieve that after registering a company. I am going to do that right away.”

More than a dozen people, young and old, responded to SANRAL’s invitation to an information and social facilitation session in the Thembisile Hani Local Municipality.

Looking spiffy in their boleros, fedoras and Panama hats, to protect them from the scorching Mpumalanga sun, people with various forms of disabilities, listened attentively as SANRAL Stakeholder Coordinator Melba Geca explained that the engagement was in line with SANRAL’s fourth pillar of stakeholder relations, which requires participants to be informed about all project-related activities and opportunities on SANRAL projects.

“This engagement is aimed at empowering emerging SMMEs with knowledge regarding opportunities available on current and upcoming SANRAL projects on the R573 – popularly known as Moloto Road.

“However, SANRAL is deeply concerned about the lack of involvement of people with disabilities in this massive R573 project.

“We want to know why, of the 114 people already employed, there are only three with disabilities,” she said.

Nontobeko Mathenjwa, SANRAL project manager responsible for the Mpumalanga section of Moloto Road, said the work package discussed at the engagement starts from km 24.7 to 26.2 from the Big Tree Mall in Gauteng to Moteti in the Dr JS Moroka Local Municipality, located in the Nkangala District Municipality of Mpumalanga.

Mathenjwa said the Moloto Road routine road maintenance and upgrade project along the R573 has had positive impact and benefit on the local SMMEs community as it had given local businesses the opportunity to participate in the tender process for subcontracting work, affording them various income opportunities.

“But this is also an opportunity for people with disabilities to gain knowledge of the progress on the R573 Moloto Road upgrade, and how to participate in contracting and subcontracting opportunities on the project,” said Mathenjwa.

She added that there was a huge knowledge gap between SANRAL and people with disabilities, and such public engagement sessions allowed communities to learn more about SANRAL and its projects.

These interactions also make people aware of available opportunities, creating awareness of development projects, training for SMMEs and draws in local labour.

SANRAL Transformation Officer Tshegare Moletsane said the roads agency was willing to assist SMMEs to succeed in the construction industry as part of its Horizon 2030 strategy.

“A lot of SMMEs need training in running and managing their businesses. SANRAL offers them training from filling out a tender document to managing their finances once the business is up and running.

“On completion of the 22-day training, SMMEs can effectively and successfully bid for subcontracting opportunities on the SANRAL construction projects.

“Our aim is to ensure that previously marginalised sectors of our economy, including people with disabilities, play a meaningful role and succeed in a construction industry that has largely been non-transformative.

“We will continue to do this guided by our transformation policy and our Horizon 2030 strategy,” said Moletsane.

Moletsane encouraged attendees to take advantage of opportunities that SANRAL offers on the Moloto Road project.

“We want you to understand the policies and procedures attached to doing business with SANRAL. Such understanding will enable you to present your businesses better and access the opportunities available in the SANRAL road network in our region.

“We have a structured training programme called the SMMEs pre-tender training, which is SAQA accredited. You will get a certificate on completion, know how to tender, break down rates and how to be an entrepreneur.

“We are not going to be discriminative, but this time around we only want those with disabilities,” he said.

Geca went on to reiterate that working together with local municipalities, SANRAL had also assisted in establishing Project Steering Committees that will ensure that people with disabilities would be involved in its projects, from upgrades to the general maintenance of the road.

“One of the key responsibilities of the Project Steering Committee is to create a database of local community members, such as people with disabilities, and ensure that they are employed on SANRAL projects,” said Geca.

The engagement was well received by the audience and many said they would “jump at the rare opportunity”.

“People with disabilities were discriminated against. I am happy SANRAL is recognising the potential and importance of involving people with disabilities,” said Bucie Nkambule, chairperson of People with Disabilities Forum in the Thembisile Hani Municipality.

“As a person with a disability, I welcome the move because I will be able to sustain myself economically and I will also be able to obtain more skills,” said wheel-chair-bound activist and local media personality Thomas Mashiya.

SANRAL said it had set aside about R130 million to develop SMMEs, with some contracts reserved strictly for people with disabilities.

Disability and Elderly Coordinator in the Thembisile Hani Municipality, Beauty Masuka, said a dearth of knowledge about opportunities available to them had resulted in disabled people steering away from involvement in such activities.

“Most of these people live from hand to mouth with very little left to register companies or apply for opportunities via the internet,” said Masuku, who expressed gratitude to SANRAL for coming directly to the people.

TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON N2 SARNIA ROAD BRIDGE

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

TEMPORARY LANE CLOSURES ON N2 SARNIA ROAD BRIDGE

Durban, 25 March 2023 – Barriers will be placed on the N2 south bound on Monday, 27 March 2023, as part of the ongoing infrastructure improvements on the Sarnia Road Bridge, the South African National Road Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) has said. This will require a temporary slow lane closure from 09h00 to 15h00 from 27 March to 28 March 2023.

“Additionally, for the safety of workers and the public, a 70m section of the emergency lane will be temporarily closed for two weeks from 27 March 2023 to 11 April 2023. We wish to advise motorists to plan their routes accordingly and to allow for extra travel time,” said Serisha Sukraj, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Engineer.

SANRAL apologises for the inconvenience caused to motorists and other road users.

 

Scholar transport operators block Eastern Cape roads

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate

Scholar transport operators block Eastern Cape roads

Eastern Cape, 23 March 2023: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to notify motorists that several roads in parts of the Eastern Cape have been closed by protesting transport operators.

The protesting scholar transport operators say they have not been paid for transport services by the provincial government.

“The drivers have blocked national and provincial rods. These include the N2 towards Mount Frere, another section of the N2 between eMaxesibeni (formerly Mount Ayliff) and Kokstad, the R61 between Cofimvaba and Komani (formerly Queenstown), as well as the R56 near Mount Fletcher.

“It is unclear when the roads will be reopened,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.