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THE UPGRADING OF N2 FROM KWAMASHU INTERCHANGE TO UMDLOTI RIVER BRIDGE

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

 THE UPGRADING OF N2 FROM KWAMASHU INTERCHANGE TO UMDLOTI RIVER BRIDGE

Durban, 3 October 2022 – Work in the median behind concrete barriers continues, which means construction vehicles will enter from the fast lane at the start of the barriers and exit into the fast lanes at the end of the barriers on both carriageways, as the work on the N2 from Kwamashu Interchange to the Umdloti River Bridge continues, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

 

“Motorists are requested to take particular care and to allow construction vehicles to move across from the fast lane into the slow lane. Some concrete work will be carried out over the weekend, so please be aware of concrete trucks,” said Trevor Zumani, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

 

Night-time work will begin again from Tuesday, 4 October 2022, and will comprise re-marking of the road lines, followed by the moving of the concrete barriers into position. This will all happen well after peak hours to the north of the Sibaya Interchange and should cause little obstruction to traffic.

“On the N2 north of Mount Edgecombe, the long-term closures and/or lane width restrictions will continue into 2026. However, there will continue to be two lanes in both directions, but they will just be slightly narrower and the shoulders have been reduced in width. Disruption should therefore be minimal,” said Zumani.

On both carriageways, especially between the Umhlanga River Bridge and the Mount Edgecombe Interchange, there are often pedestrians on the road. With the reduced shoulder width, there could also be taxis stopping in the slow lane. Zamani urged motorists to remain patient, to slow down, to drive carefully and to leave enough space between vehicles.

“SANRAL would like to thank the motorists for their patience during the construction period. When the project is complete, we will have state of the art highways with free-flowing traffic,” said Zumani.

High level update on SANRAL projects for provincial leaders

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MEDIA RELEASE: Immediate

High level update on SANRAL projects for provincial leaders

Eastern Cape, 23 September 2022 – As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen its relationship with the Eastern Cape Government’s stakeholders, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) held a roundtable dinner with members of the provincial and local government, traditional leaders, business community and civil society to introduce its projects and programmes in the Eastern Cape.

The roundtable dinner was held in East London on Tuesday night. SANRAL used the platform to also enhance collaboration with the leadership of the province for infrastructure development purposes.

Speaking on behalf of the Eastern Cape Provincial Government, the Eastern Cape MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Xolile Nqatha, said the province is delighted that SANRAL has turned the Eastern Cape into a construction site, referring to the various projects the roads agency is undertaking across the province.

“SANRAL projects in our province continue to make a major positive impact in our province. This is a province that is hard hit by high levels of poverty and unemployment. SANRAL plays a critical role in cushioning our people against unemployment by creating jobs and business opportunities.

“As the provincial government, we highly appreciate our partnership with SANRAL as well as those with the various spheres of local government. These SANRAL projects have the potential to attract other investments in the province.

I encourage all of us to work together with all stakeholders, including business, to ensure that there are no bottlenecks on these projects and improve the lives of our people,” said Nqatha.

SANRAL has invested more than R7bn in the Eastern Cape Province in the current financial year. According to SANRAL Southern Regional Manager Mbulelo Peterson, the road agency’s projects in the province are at various degrees of completion: some are completed while others are under construction, under the tender and evaluation stage, or in the planning phase for the current financial year.

“Some of the key projects that have been completed include the special maintenance project from the R75 national road in Jansenville to the R63/R75 intersection; this project amounted to R125 million. In the Buffalo City Metro, the Breidbach and Belstone interchanges project on the N2 national is currently under construction at a total cost of R437m, and the improvement of the N2 Green River to King Williamstown project at a total cost of R500 million is also under construction. The improvement of the N2 national road from Mount Frere to Ngcweleni River is at an award stage, while a new facility on the N2 Ndabakazi Interchange is at evaluation stage. We have also planned various community development projects in various parts of the province for this financial year,” said Peterson.

He added that SANRAL also plans to invest on the Freeway Management

System (FMS) in Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City Metro and Mthatha. This project essentially monitors the country’s national freeways 24/7 for 365 days a year, enabling SANRAL to report on road safety accidents, traffic congestion and crime incidents on the highways.

Key to SANRAL’s interventions on its projects is ensuring that previously disadvantaged individuals benefit on its road construction projects.

“Through our transformation policy, at SANRAL we are mindful of the impact of the construction industry and its procurement has on the people of South Africa in terms of business and job opportunities. We accept our responsibility to maximise the participation of black contractors, professionals, suppliers and designated groups in all our projects,” said Tandile Makwabe, SANRAL Southern Region’s Transformation Officer.

“We also commit to break down monopolies in the supply chains of materials, equipment, technologies, systems and other areas within the construction and related industries. By doing this, we also commit to provide development support to black businesses through structured development programmes and partnerships with industry players to ensure meaningful, rapid growth of black entities in the construction and related industries.”

One of the key interventions that the roads agency has undertaken in this regard is ensuring that emerging contractors are equipped with the necessary skills to enable them to participate in the construction industry.

Through SANRAL’s Contractor Development Programme, SANRAL is transforming the road construction industry and simultaneously developing the capacity and capability of the new entrants as can be seen from the many initiatives the agency has in the region.

CONTRAFLOW TO BE APPLIED ON N3 FROM CATO RIDGE INTERCHANGE TO DARDANELLES

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

 

CONTRAFLOW TO BE APPLIED ON N3 FROM CATO RIDGE INTERCHANGE TO DARDANELLES

 

Pietermaritzburg – 29 September 2022 – The temporary widening of the entire section of the existing N3 Southbound is complete and all traffic can now be diverted onto the temporarily widened road between Cato Ridge Interchange and Camperdown Interchange, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

This forms part of the construction work on the upgrade of the N3 from the Cato Ridge Interchange to the southern end of the Dardanelles Cutting which began on 14 April 2021. This project is in the district municipality of uMgungundlovu and the local municipalities of eThekwini and Mkhambathini.

Traffic on the northbound (Pietermaritzburg bound) road will be diverted to the temporarily widened southbound (Durban bound) carriageway at Cato Ridge Interchange. The switchover shall be done in the evening of Wednesday, 5 October 2022.

“Contraflow conditions will exist on the southbound carriageway between Cato Ridge Interchange and Dardanelles with concrete barriers in place between the two opposite traffic streams. Two lanes shall be available in both directions. Contraflow is a temporary arrangement where traffic on a road is transferred from its usual side to share the other half of the carriageway with traffic moving in the opposite direction,” said Mohamed Parak, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

Once the traffic has been diverted off the northbound carriageway the existing northbound carriageway will be available for the total reconstruction of the new four-lane northbound carriageway. It is expected that contraflow conditions on the southbound carriageway shall prevail until January 2024.

The speed limit along the route has been reduced to 80km/hr to improve safety to the construction team and road users. Lane closures to allow construction vehicles from entering and exiting the work zone safely can be expected at night and the public will be informed in advance of such activity.

“We appeal to road users to note and comply with the advance warning signs and speed restrictions when travelling past the construction work zones. Motorists are encouraged to plan their trips accordingly and to make provision for the additional travel time,” said Parak.

SANRAL presents scholarship and bursary opportunities at Career Expo in KwaMhlanga

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MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL presents scholarship and bursary opportunities at Career Expo in KwaMhlanga

 

Mpumalanga, 26 September 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) recently hosted a Career Expo in KwaMhlanga where it encouraged high school learners from 14 schools to apply for scholarships and bursaries opportunities presented by the Agency.

Led by Ms Gcina Sentletse, Educational Programmes Coordinator for SANRAL, the Career Expo took place on 23 September 2022 at the Mzimhlophe Secondary School in KwaMhlanga.

Sentletse said SANRAL’s investment model for skills starts with development and support through the scholarship and bursary programme.

“SANRAL has long recognised the importance of skills development for youth in the country, and with more young people increasingly filling leadership roles in the built environment, now is the perfect time to engage the learners,” she said.

The SANRAL scholarship programme was historically developed to give financial support to learners from Grade 10 to Grade 12 who excelled in mathematics and science, but to promote a more inclusive support structure, the programme had to change some of its policies to expand the reach.

Sentletse said the scholarships are available for learners from Grade 8 to 12, irrespective of their subject choices. Bursaries will no longer be limited to funding Engineering studies, and will also be available to full-time students studying Law, Public Administration, Finance, Human Resources, Supply Chain, Public Relations, and other subjects. Also, previously learners required a 70% overall aggregate to be eligible for consideration, they now require 60% with a view to improving their aggregate to 70%.

The scholarship covers:

  • Registration and school fees
  • Hostel accommodation (where applicable)
  • School and sport uniform
  • Books and prescribed stationery
  • Transport

The bursary covers:

  • Registration and tuition
  • Accommodation and meals
  • Study material and equipment
  • Living allowance
  • Access to wellness programme

Learners and teachers welcomed this initiative and regard it as very important, particularly for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Nhlakanipho Jiana, a Grade 12 learner at Mandlethu Senior Secondary School in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, was happy about the information he received regarding the opportunities.

“I received the information that I was looking for. I would like to encourage my fellow Grade 12 learners to be open-minded in their approach of obtaining information regarding career options. I have learned during the SANRAL Career Expo that there are more careers with available funding opportunities,” said Jiana.

Portia Mokwebane, a teacher at Phumzile Secondary School in Thembisile Hani Local Municipality, said SANRAL’s initiative to share information about scholarships and bursaries is a good approach as learners used it as a platform to seek clarity regarding the application process and requirements.

“We are looking forward to engaging with SANRAL in the coming year as we will be inviting more learners from our school to be part of this process. Most of the learners in public schools are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Having this information will motivate them to put more effort into their studies and apply for these opportunities which can potentially change their situation at home,” said Mokwebane.

SANRAL encourages more applications for scholarships and bursaries before the closing date of 30 September 2022. Further information regarding the bursaries, scholarships and applications forms can be found on the SANRAL website on www.nra.co.za.

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SLOW LANE ON THE N3 FROM SANCTUARY ROAD TO LINK ROAD

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE SLOW LANE ON THE N3 FROM
SANCTUARY ROAD TO LINK ROAD

Pietermaritzburg, 22 September 2022 – The reconstruction of the slow lane on the National Route 3 (N3) from Sanctuary Road to Link Road will result in the restriction of traffic to a single lane on the southbound carriageway, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“The works to repair the slow lane, which have been underway for the past 18 months, are now complete. While we are happy to report that this lane is now open to traffic, repairs are however required to the middle and far-right lanes. The contractor is planning on undertaking these repairs starting 4 October 2022,” said Thabiso Dladla, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

This work will result in the road being reduced to only one lane at night. The work will be undertaken between 19h30 and 04h00 daily for approximately three weeks, starting on 4 October 2022.

The alternate route to be used by light motor vehicles ONLY during this period is as follows:

Old Howick Road (R103)

Motorists travelling to Durban can take the Cedara turn-off and drive along the R103 to join the N3 at the Armitage Road on-ramp.

All vehicles above 8-ton MAY NOT use the R103 and will have to allow extra time for the delays.

“SANRAL wishes to apologise to the motoring public for any inconvenience caused during the road closure. We appeal to road users to plan their trips accordingly. Motorists are warned that the repairs could result in an uneven surface and are asked to adhere to all the speed restrictions when approaching and travelling through the construction site,” said Dladla.

Candidate engineer presents research paper to industry experts

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Nokuthula Mazibuko, a SANRAL candidate engineer, is presenting her research paper to the Society of Asphalt Technology (SAT) in Pretoria.

 

MEDIA RELEASE

Candidate engineer presents research paper to industry experts

Eastern Cape, 21 September 2022: Hard work is paying off for Nokuthula Mazibuko, a candidate engineer, with the Technical Excellence Academy at the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL). She will present her case study on Binder Rise with Bubbles in Chip Seals this week to the Society of Asphalt Technology (SAT) in Pretoria.

Mazibuko responded to a request from the SAT when members were asked to provide an abstract of their research. The paper she submitted to SAT is on the investigation of the premature failure of a portion of reseal on National Route 2. She wants to inform industry players of this occurrence which could be costly to repair, and which can be mitigated in future.

The SATBinderrr 2022 conference will take place at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria from the 21 to the 22 September 2022.

“I was given an opportunity to do research on a reseal that had failed prematurely, where I lead a team from SANRAL’s materials training laboratory to collect samples of the reseal to determine the cause of the premature failure. Bitumen bubbles were observed on the surface, and the team was curious as to the cause of the bubbles because they had led to the bleeding of the seal. During the research I created a model to understand at what temperature and how much water causes the binder to ascend to the surface in the form of bubbles, effectively leading to the bleeding. We successfully simulated the above scenario, which I will present at the 2022 SAT conference,” Mazibuko said.

She is currently working as an assistant resident engineer on SANRAL’s R67 section 5 upgrade from the Swart Kei River Bridge to Queenstown. Her role and responsibilities include quality assurance, that is ensuring that the contractor produces pavement layers in accordance with the design specifications.

“My experience on site has been an eye-opener to the reality that designs are not always easy to construct on site due to available materials and the skills levels of staff,” she explained.

She joined the TEA in March 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic. She graduated from the University of Stellenbosch with a BEng (Civil Engineering) degree in 2014 and completed her Master’s degree in Civil Engineering in April 2020, with some industry experience in the intervening years.

“My experience with the SANRAL TEA has been a blessing where I have received opportunities to learn the deep art of engineering design and providing engineering solutions in the sub-disciplines of geometry, hydrology, hydraulics, and pavement engineering. I learned from my well-versed mentors and was encouraged to do some independent problem solving. I am currently getting great exposure to the industry at large from design to construction and will soon get the opportunity to learn about project management, the SANRAL way,” she said.

The video is available here: https://we.tl/t-WdGGgOQNOt

 

The blasting operation will take place at the corner of Joubert Street and MR 0688. The MR0688 and Joubert Street will be closed.

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The blasting operation will take place at the corner of Joubert Street and MR 0688. The MR0688 and Joubert Street will be closed.

 

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate

Blasting scheduled at the Belstone Interchange

 

Eastern Cape, 20 September 2022: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) wishes to advise travellers that controlled blasting is scheduled to take place at the new Belstone Interchange in King Williams Town at 3pm today, Tuesday, 20 September 2022.

The blasting operation will take place at the corner of Joubert Street and MR 0688. The MR0688 and Joubert Street will be closed.

The alternative routes through King Williams Town are as follows:

  • Motorists travelling from East London on the N2 into King Williams Town will not be affected.
  • Motorists travelling from Bhisho into King Williams Town can take the R63.
  • Motorist travelling from Bhisho to East London can take R63 to King Williams Town then theN2 to East London.“Motorists are asked to plan their trips accordingly and to use caution when using the roads. We apologise for any inconvenience caused,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.

 

Condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the Pongola crash

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MEDIA RELEASE

Condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the Pongola crash

KZN, 18 September 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) extends heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the 22 crash victims who tragically lost their lives when a truck and a bakkie collided on the N2 near Pongola on Friday.

“We will continue our efforts to engineer safer roads and work with law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to intensify road safety awareness and education. To put an end to road carnage requires a commitment from every individual road user at the start of every journey. We keep the loved ones in our thoughts and prayers and trust that they will find comfort and healing over time,” said Dumisani Nkabinde, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Manager.

Blasting scheduled at Breidbach Interchange

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate
Blasting scheduled at Breidbach Interchange

Eastern Cape, 15 September 2022: 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 King Williams Town at 3pm today Thursday, 15 September 2022.

The N2, between King Williams Town 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, Phakamisa townships to join the R346 to eQonce (King Williams Town). The diversion is through Zwelitsha. Similarly, from eQonce to East London, motorists are 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 asked 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.

UPDATE ON THE UPGRADING OF THE N2 FROM KWAMASHU INTERCHANGE TO UMDLOTI RIVER BRIDGE

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY

UPDATE ON THE UPGRADING OF THE N2 FROM KWAMASHU INTERCHANGE TO UMDLOTI RIVER BRIDGE

Durban, 9 September 2022 – Construction work has begun in the median behind the concrete barriers, following the reduction in the number of lanes and lane widths on both sides of the N2 between the KwaMashu and Mount Edgecombe interchanges, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has said.

“This will have no effect on traffic, except at the two far ends where construction vehicles will be exiting. However, there will be flagmen in attendance and warning signage will be erected,” said Trevor Zumani, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

The long-term closures and/or lane width restrictions north of the Mount Edgecombe Interchange up to the Umdloti Interchange will continue into 2026. However, there will still be two lanes open in both directions which will have merely been narrowed slightly and the shoulders reduced in width. The disruption is expected to be minimal.

“There has been reports of pedestrians on the road along the southbound section between the Umhlanga River Bridge and the Mount Edgecombe Interchange. There is also the possibility of taxis stopping in the slow lane with the loss of the shoulder lane. Motorists are urged to continue to remain patient, to slow down and to drive with extra care,” said Zumani.

Night-time work: From Sundays to Thursdays for the next fortnight, there will be minor disruptions, if any, to the traffic flow, all to the north of the Sibaya Interchange, as concrete barriers are brought in and placed alongside the median. There will also be line obliteration and the moving of the two lanes to accommodate the work to be carried out in the median.

Day time work: All of the work will be to the north of the Mount Edgecombe Interchange, the majority being north of the Sibaya Interchange. This could result in some congestion and airline passengers are requested to add extra time to their trips to the airport.

“SANRAL would like to appeal to motorists to adhere to the warning signs, reduce their speed when approaching the construction sites. We appeal to road users to plan their trips accordingly, especially when accessing travel hubs such as the airports,” said Zumani.