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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.

SANRAL continues with training SMMEs for tendering opportunities in Mpumalanga

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Media Release

Melba Geca, SANRAL Stakeholder Coordinator and Lucky Negogogo, SANRAL Project Manager during the SMME information training session in Nkomazi Local Municipality

SANRAL continues with training SMMEs for tendering opportunities in Mpumalanga

 

Pretoria, 8 September 2022: The South African National Roads SOC Limited (SANRAL) continues engaging with small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in Nkomazi Local Municipality to prepare them to tender for upcoming Routine Road Maintenance (RRM) projects in Mpumalanga province.

The project team – led by Lucky Negogogo, SANRAL Project Manager; Melba Geca, SANRAL Stakeholder Coordinator; and engineers from ROMH Consulting and VEA Road Maintenance – hosted several business engagement sessions to equip SMMEs with the necessary information and training to correctly bid for subcontracting opportunities to be rolled out in the next few months.

“SANRAL has been engaging small business who are Grade 1CE and 2CE in Nkomazi to prepare them for tendering opportunities for subcontractors for RRM projects in the region. This is quite critical for us to ensure the development of black-owned business, particularly those owned by women and youth, to participate meaningfully on SANRAL projects,” said Geca.

The training included how to successfully complete tender documents, accurate pricing and completion of the bill of quantities (BOQ), to note the returnable documents and to ensure that all their documents are compliant to improve their chances of qualifying. Candidates were also made aware of the importance of attending the compulsory clarification meeting where tenders are briefed

on the important aspects in the tender document, to highlight the shortfalls encountered in the tender process, and to make prospective bidders aware of the requirements in the tender document.

There will also be training and skills development for the appointed subcontractors which will include, among others, first-aid training and occupational health and safety.

The services will be for the maintenance of the National Road R570 from Jeppes Reef Border Post to the N4; maintenance of the R571 from the N4 to Mananga Border Post, and the R581 from R571 to N4 which is a total of 176,14 km of the SANRAL road network in the Municipality.

The scope of work on the projects for the grade 1 and 2 CEs will include:

  • accommodation of traffic
  • repair and maintenance of inlet and outlet structures
  • cleaning of prefabricated culverts
  • cleaning of concrete drains and channels
  • edge build-up removal
  • fencing
  • collection and removal of debris and litter
  • stabilisation of cuttings
  • erection and repair of permanent road traffic signs
  • road sign cleaning
  • removal of illegal signs
  • roadstuds
  • general erosion protection
  • general and shoulder mow
  • m6300: removal of undesirable vegetation: physical eradication
  • m6400: maintenance and establishment of plants, trees and shrubs

    Dumi Mnisi, founder and director of DM Projects, commended the roads agency on a critical and insightful initiative which will assist small companies to be competitive in the industry.

    “We really appreciate SANRAL for this initiative and for bringing these opportunities to local communities. There is a space for small companies in the construction industry and such engagements will assist in ensuring that we are able to participate meaningfully. May SANRAL continue to do more to develop small companies,” he said.

    SANRAL said the tender documents will be made available electronically at no cost to tenderers once all the processes have been finalised.

    Geca says SANRAL will continue with efforts to transform the construction industry and empower local companies to participate fully on its projects.

Blasting scheduled at Breidbach Interchange

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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate

Blasting scheduled at Breidbach Interchange

 

Eastern Cape, 6 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, Tuesday, 6 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 (formerly 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.

TRANSPORT MINISTER FIKILE MBALULA OPENS MUSINA RING ROAD SAYING IT WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT ECONOMIC GROWTH

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MEDIA RELEASE

TRANSPORT MINISTER FIKILE MBALULA OPENS MUSINA RING ROAD SAYING IT WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT ECONOMIC GROWTH

1 September 2022 – Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has officially opened the Musina Ring Road near the Beit Bridge border post in Limpopo as part of the South African government’s drive to promote regional trade and tourism. The Musina Ring Road, a project of the South African National Roads Agency SOC (SANRAL), was built at a cost of R700-million and created much-needed jobs and economic opportunities for local communities.

Minister Mbalula said the new road, which will carry traffic around, as well as into and out of Musina, would facilitate the free flow of traffic to and from Zimbabwe and other Southern African countries.

“This road will facilitate better mobility and the safe movement of goods, services and people in and around Musina,” said Minister Mbalula. “It will also help to facilitate greater trade and economic activity between South Africa and our northern neighbour Zimbabwe, as well other countries in the Southern African Development Community.”

“President Cyril Ramaphosa has given our government clear instructions to ensure that we move with speed to invest in and build new infrastructure, create jobs and help to grow the South African economy. This is critically important, especially as part of our economic recovery programme following the devastation of the Covid-19 pandemic. Today’s opening of the Musina Ring Road is evidence that SANRAL and all government agencies are carrying out the mandate of the President and indeed the government which was elected by our people,” said Minister Mbalula.

Minister Mbalula praised SANRAL, as well as the construction companies, workers and the community of Musina for their role in bringing the project to life despite significant challenges during construction.

“It is always good to celebrate successful delivery by the government and its agencies, in the service of our people. To this end, I want to applaud the work of SANRAL and all the contractors and workers who brought the project to life. I also want to thank the community of Musina for their patience, given that the project had many challenges over the years before it was finally completed.”

Limpopo’s MEC for Public works, Roads and Infrastructure, Ms Nkakareng Rakgoale, welcomed the opening of the new road and expressed the provincial government’s appreciation to Minister Mbalula and SANRAL.

“On behalf of Premier Stan Mathabatha and the people of Limpopo, I want to welcome this impressive new road in our province, which is going to have a significant and positive impact on Musina and indeed the provincial economy, said MEC Rakgoale.

BACKGROUND

The road consists of eight (8) kilometres of new, single carriageway with one lane in each direction, and with paved shoulders. It is constructed as part of a ring road on the Western side of the Musina CBD and functions as a highway with controlled access to and from the N1. Access to the town is provided through two interchanges, one at the Southern entrance to the town called the Musina Interchange. The other is at the Northern entrance to the town and is called the Nancefield Interchange. Two cross accesses are also provided, namely Harper Road and Freedom Street.

Musina is a very busy town with lots of traffic going through it. Congestion has always been a major problem. The town is a great tourism hub with easy access to the Kruger National Park and the Mabunguwe World Heritage Site. It is also located perfectly for cross-border trade, especially with Zimbabwe, and this area has been declared a growth point by the provincial government. A Special Economic Zone (SEZ) was established recently which will create about 19,000 jobs in the area, an indication of a fast-growing municipality.

The project has provided opportunities for a number of local small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), as well as community members. Over the past three years, it created more than 280 jobs with wages of more than R28 million paid out. The construction company used accredited training service providers to train SMMEs and local labourers who worked on this project.

SANRAL leads from the front on women empowerment

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MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL leads from the front on women empowerment

Gauteng, 1 September 2022 – As long as she heads the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL), Acting CEO Lehlohonolo Memeza will remain unapologetic about employing more women into leadership positions.

This is the message Memeza confidently conveyed at the annual SANRAL Women’s Month Seminar held at Sun Time Square in Tshwane yesterday (Wednesday).

The theme of the seminar, attended by a live and online audience, was “Encouraging Women and Men to Grow Beyond Gender and Live in Full Colour’.

One of the highlights was a robust panel discussion that got to the heart of several hard-hitting, gender disparity issues, often considered taboo.

Memeza did not mince her words: “We need SANRAL women around the boardroom table, not only to be present, but to be vocal. Your opinions, your solutions, your creative ideas, they are needed around the table. You went to the same universities as the men around you. You are capable. Trust yourself.”

Memeza went on to talk about how the “pulldown syndrome” among women has to come to an end.

“We will never win this battle if we pull each other down as sisters.” At the top executive level at SANRAL, there are only two women, Memeza noted.

“But we are trying, and as long as I am in leadership of this organisation, we will always put the needs of women first and try to understand our issues better. We will continue to work towards our transformation objectives and towards the empowerment of black people, especially women, in meaningful roles in the organisation,” she said.

Memeza said women needed to benefit more in the construction and engineering sectors, including in the way tenders are written and awarded.

“Only one in five engineers in South Africa is a woman. That tells us that a lot needs to happen,” she said.

To this end, women do not need to “imitate men”, but should push forward simply as human beings in a competitive world, she said.

“I have never liked the reference to being the first black woman. I would like to believe that the SANRAL board appointed me based on my competence.

Memeza said her time at SANRAL will be spent trying to influence policy that will open doors for women in the company.

Referring to the hurts of the past that suppressed black people, especially women, Memeza encouraged people to seek healing.

“I see my psychologist every week. It is not a taboo to seek help, to heal, because you become a stronger person,” she said, adding that SANRAL employees have access to free counselling services.

The seminar kicked off with a vibrant discussion between four panelists: Vusi Mona, General Manager: Marketing and Communications at SANRAL, Mbuyiselo Botha, gender activist on the Commission of Gender Equality and spokesperson for Sonke Gender Justice, Pearl Zhou, SANRAL’s Strategy Implementation Monitoring Manager and Beverly Ditsie, lesbian activist, artist and filmmaker.

Mona recognised that men like himself are “socialised, through culture and religion, into gender roles that confine and enslave us”.

“We have to be conscious in breaking down those stereotypes,” he said.

Mona added that, in breaking the cycles of gender-based violence (GBV), men also needed to hold each other accountable, and not treat these incidents lightly.

“Unless we do that, GBV will continue to be a vicious circle, and we will celebrate 16 Days of Activism, but afterwards it’s business as usual,” he said.

“At a national level, we tried (to heal) at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but it was unfinished business. We didn’t hold people accountable, and it has to cascade down from national level to communities to families, to men. Let’s confront the past and current demons,” he said.

Ditsie agreed, saying those who bullied or allowed victimisation of people who didn’t fall into gender stereotypes needed to be held accountable.

For its part, SANRAL had introduced a series of events for men during the year, which would serve to bring gender discussions into mainstream dialogue in the organisation, Mona said.

It was important to continually deliberate about gender roles and how these play out, Botha said.

“Statistics tell us that women-led households are 60%. It’s not because there are no men, it’s because men themselves have been abandoned. Boys need to be assured that it’s OK to be vulnerable, to be emotional, to cry,” he said.

Zhou noted that at the same time, women needed to emancipate themselves “by living out the reality of who we truly are”.

“We need to ask, who is setting these norms on my behalf? It’s about introspecting and asking how I live my life,” she said.