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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate

 

Stop-go traffic control on the N2 section 13 between Makhanda and Fish River Pass

 

Eastern Cape, 13 April 2022: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to notify travellers that Stop/Go traffic control operations will be in place on the N2 Section 13 between Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) and Fish River until mid-June 2022.  This includes the period over the Easter weekend between 15 April to 18 April 2022, and also over the Public Holidays on Wednesday 27 April and Monday 2 May 2022. Stop/Go traffic control is currently underway to accommodate half width construction works and are for a full 24-hour period each day, including weekends.

 

The road will be under Stop/Go control on two sections between the Coombs turnoff at Km 79.5 to Km 85 and from Km 88.5 to Km 92 at Frasers Camp where works are being carried out on one half of the road. Motorists are advised to obey the speed restrictions, consider the safety of road workers and to beware of loose stones on the roadway.

 

Motorists travelling westwards between East London or Qonce (formerly King William’s Town) and Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) may consider using the following alternative route:

 

• From East London, follow the R72 to Port Alfred and Kenton on Sea through to Nanaga and turn left onto the N2 and continue on to Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth).

 

Motorists travelling eastwards between Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) and Qonce (formerly King William’s Town) or East London may consider using the following alternative route:

 

• From Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), follow the N2 to Nanaga and turn right onto the R72 at the junction at Nanaga and travel on via Alexandria and Port Alfred to East London.
• From East London, turn left onto the N2 and travel westwards through to Qonce (formerly King William’s Town).

 

“Motorists are requested to plan their trips, accordingly, consider alternative routes and use caution when making use of the roads,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Regional Manager.

 

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL INVESTS OVER R2BN IN KING SABATA DALINDYEBO

Eastern Cape, 12 April 2022: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has invested more than R2 billion in several road infrastructure development projects in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality which will bring much-needed economic opportunities for local business enterprises and communities.

Addressing a round-table discussion of local business enterprises and business associations today (Tuesday 12 April),
Welekazi Ndika, SANRAL Southern Region Stakeholder Coordinator, said the roads agency continues to play a key role in transforming the construction sector and will also continue to ensure that previously marginalised individuals participate and benefit from its road infrastructure development projects.

“It is for this reason that we have convened today’s roundtable discussion to share information about our transformation
agenda as well as interventions we have undertaken to uplift small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in King Sabata Dalindyebo through our road infrastructure development projects,” said Ndika.

King Sabata Dalindyebo’s Executive Mayor, Nyaniso Nelani, urged local business enterprises to welcome SANRAL’s
investments and overcome whatever hindrances may be in the way of the investments and developmental programmes in the area.

“As the municipality we welcome today’s engagement because it will allow us an opportunity to know and understanding what is required from all of us as stakeholders to turn around this region’s economy. SANRAL’s investment will add the much-needed value to improve our people’s socio-economic conditions by providing jobs and uplifting their business enterprises. Business enterprises have a bigger role to play here, because these investments will also assist them to flourish,” said Councillor Nelani.

Councillor Nelani also outlined the King Sabata Local Municipality’s four priority pillars as reflected in the municipality’s
Integrated Development Plans (IDP). “Our four key pillars include infrastructure development, including road infrastructure; economic development and investment, particularly on high impact projects which address the triple challenges of inequality, poverty and unemployment that continue to face our region, such as the ones that SANRAL have brought into this municipality; addressing critical skills that are needed to grow this region’s economy, and delivering basic services to our communities,” he said.

Athi Kiviet, SANRAL Southern Region Project Manager, said the agency has invested in several projects in the municipality, including the upgrading of the R61 Bhaziya road to Mthatha Airport, the R61 from Mthatha Airport to Madeira Street and the N2 national road from Viedgesville to Mthatha.

“Construction of the Bhaziya to Mthatha Airport project is currently underway. About R237 million has been allocated for the project which is anticipated to be completed in November this year. Construction of the new Mthatha bypass on the National Route N2 is currently in the assessment stage. Over R1 billion has been invested for this project. In addition, we also have a community development project linked to the N2 Viedgesville – Mthatha project in the pipeline. The estimated budget for this project is R200 million,” he said.

Touching on SANRAL’s transformation endeavours, Thandile Makwabe, SANRAL Southern Region Transformation Officer, said the agency continues to optimise using local resources on its projects, ensuring that local communities continue to benefit.

“Guided by our transformation policy, at SANRAL we always ensure that there is transparency and equal opportunities for local community members on our projects. We continue to ensure that there is maximum participation of women, youth, people with disabilities and military veterans, to mention but a few, on our projects. All of this is done to ensure that local resources and local community members benefit from SANRAL projects,” said Makwabe.

SANRAL is also working together with other key socio-economic partners, such as the Eastern Cape Development
Corporation (ECDC), the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), the
National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NAFCOC) and the South African Women in Construction (SAWIC), to engage on funding assistance available to SMMEs.

The roundtable discussion with business stakeholders was an important platform for SANRAL to outline its transformation agenda, small enterprise development approach and the economic opportunities its road infrastructure development projects present for targeted enterprises and the community of KSD Local Municipality.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY

 Massive traffic backup near Carousel Toll Plaza

Pretoria, 14 April 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to inform motorists travelling in the direction of the Carousel Toll Plaza on the N1 North of a massive traffic back up in the vicinity of the Toll Plaza.

“The traffic back up is caused by law enforcement activities near the Carousel Toll Plaza, ahead of the Easter Weekend, and not caused by Plaza’s operations. The backup is approximately six kilometres and law enforcement officials have now opened up two lanes on the N1 North to allow for increased vehicle flows,” said Louw Kannemeyer, SANRAL’s Engineering Executive.

“As we are travel towards the Easter long weekend, we urge all road users to be cautious and patient on the roads,” said Kannemeyer.

MEDIA RELEASE
A change in attitude can save lives this Easter, says SANRAL

Pretoria, 14 April 2022 – As the Easter long weekend kicks off, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to encourage road users to be cautious on the roads to save lives.

SANRAL General Manager of Communications, Vusi Mona, said the Easter period is an important time as many people look forward to travelling far and wide to spend time with family or simply go on vacation, which often poses a challenge with regards to road safety.

“As we are heading towards the Easter long weekend for the much-needed break, we urge all road users to be cautious on the roads,” said Mona. Mona said the roads agency will embark on a national drive to promote road safety over the
weekend and beyond through initiatives such as the ‘WHOA!’ campaign, which encourages road users to ‘stop and reconsider their actions before using the road.

“Our road safety team will be dispatched to various rest spots along the road network across the country such as the Grasmere Petrol Station on N1 North in Gauteng and the Sasol garage in Abbotsford, East London, where they will provide travellers some entertainment and valuable tips to make the journey safer and fun,” he said.

Unsafe driving behaviours such as speeding, reckless driving, drinking and driving, driving while operating mobile phones and fatigue are known to be the leading causes of road incidents. Mona believes that a change in road-user behaviour can play a huge role in saving lives on the roads.

“As a roads authority, we have a huge responsibility to take the lead in influencing the attitudes and behaviour of road users, thus creating a convenient and safe road environment that caters for the needs of all road users,” said Mona.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
NO ACCESS TO THE DURBAN PORT

Pietermaritzburg, 12 April 2022 – Torrential rains in KwaZulu-Natal have resulted in the closure of access to the Durban Port via road, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.
“Bayhead Road which provides access to the port is completely closed due to heavy rains and flooding. Engineers are on the ground assessing the situation and providing guidance on mobility around the network,” said Ravi Ronny, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Design and Construction Manager.

Some sections of the N3 are partially closed due to the upgrades and the floods have exacerbated the situation on the network.
“We appeal to all motorists and especially freight transport not to leave their destinations to try and come to Durban Port. There is no access to the port. We are working with emergency services to get the road network reopened,” said Ronny.

MEDIA RELEASE
Increased traffic volumes will be accommodated on Sir Lowry’s Pass over Easter

Western Cape, 12 April 2022 – While the R31 million slope stabilisation project on the N2 Sir Lowry’s Pass is well underway, the road will not be fully open to traffic between the hairpin bend and the lookout point at the top of the pass during the Easter weekend. Traffic accommodation will however be adapted to respond to the increased volume.

“This section of road has been operating as a two-lane, two-way roadway since slope stabilisation work commenced earlier this year, but capacity will be adapted to a three-lane facility over the Easter period to accommodate increased holiday traffic,” said Senzo Ngobese, SANRAL Project Manager.

On Thursday, Friday and Saturday there will be two lanes open for traffic leaving Cape Town and one lane will be used for traffic approaching Cape Town. This configuration will be reversed on Easter Sunday, with two lanes available for inbound traffic and only one lane operating for outbound traffic.

Road users are reminded of the alternative route around Clarence Drive, past Hangklip and Betty’s Bay, for accessing Bot River and beyond.

“We appeal to motorists for patience, vigilance and courtesy on the road during this coming long weekend. Let us take collective responsibility for our safety, and that of road construction workers and pedestrians,” said Ngobese.

MEDIA RELEASE
Opportunities for meaningful SMME participation on N7 upgrade

Western Cape, 7 April 2022 – With construction on the upgrade of the N7 between Rooidraai and Moorreesburg now well underway, there are significant project participation opportunities for SMMEs in the Swartland Local Municipality. However, the slow response to subcontracting tenders that have already been advertised, has warranted expanding the net of economic inclusion to SMMEs in the broader West Coast District Municipality.

To this end, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) will host information sessions with SMMEs in Clanwilliam, Piketberg and Malmesbury to share information, provide clarity and ensure they have all the necessary tools to tender for subcontracting opportunities.

The following information sessions will be held:

• Wednesday, 13 April 2022, at 09h00, Cathy Johnson Centre, Bloekom Avenue, Clanwilliam
• Wednesday, 13 April 2022, at 14h00, Piketberg Library Hall, Kerk Street, Piketberg
• Tuesday, 19 April 2022, at 09h00, Wesbank Community Hall, Malmesbury

The following packages are still to be subcontracted:

• Clearing and shaping existing open drains
• Subsoil structures
• Stormwater structures
• Kerbing and chutes
• Inlet and outlet structure
• Trimming of concrete-line open drains
• Concrete-line open drains
• Stone pitching
• Concrete block paving

“Apart from ensuring that we reach more SMMEs with information about the subcontracting opportunities on the remaining packages on this project, we also want to use the information sessions to share information about SANRAL’s upcoming projects on the N7, beyond Moorreesburg. We appeal to SMMEs to attend these sessions to ensure they are able to tender profitably and competitively,” said Petronella Theron, SANRAL Project Manager.

SANRAL remains committed to its transformation objectives that are particularly aligned to facilitate the participation of persons with disabilities, and women- and youth-owned businesses.

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL introduces R63 national road project to Amahlathi local SMMEs

Eastern Cape, 7 April 2022 – Small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) have welcomed the announcement by the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) of a road improvement project planned for the R63 national road from Bhisho to the N6 national road bridge intersection.

SANRAL hosted an information session in Stutterheim in the Eastern Cape today (Thursday) to introduce the details of the upcoming projects to stakeholders. The session was a follow up to the one that SANRAL hosted for the Buffalo City based SMMEs in Bhisho last month. The R63 national road project spans across the two municipalities of Buffalo City and
Amahlathi.

Currently in the design phase, the R750 million project is anticipated to create 200 job opportunities for the local community over 36 months. About 60 local SMMEs are also expected to benefit from the project.

Councillor Xola Tokwe, who is also the head of road and infrastructure at Amahlathi Local Municipality, commended SANRAL for the developmental role it plays in the local community. “On behalf of the municipality, we are very pleased with what SANRAL is doing and bringing to the Amahlathi community. This project will benefit our local community; it will
enable them to make a living, improve their lives and give them the relevant skills necessary to work in the built and construction sector,” he said.

Ronald Kasipo, a senior technician on the project, said: “The scope of works that will be done on the project will include the dualling of sections of the R63, improvement of the existing road alignment, improvement of the existing pavement structure, construction of new hydraulic structures, construction of community access roads, pedestrian walkways,
and streetlights.“It is also important to emphasise that much of the focus on this project is to benefit local SMMEs. Up to 30% of the contract will be given to targeted enterprises or subcontractors. Packages for the targeted enterprises will include fencing, minor contract works, gabions, guard rails and site security, among others.”

Welekazi Ndika, SANRAL Southern Region’s Stakeholder Coordinator, said SANRAL’s 14 Point Plan will assist greatly in ensuring better communication and understanding between stakeholders that are affected by the project.

The 14 Point Plan is SANRAL’s guide to facilitate better project-level liaison with local communities and structures that are affected by its projects. It strives to ensure transparency and inclusivity among those who work on its projects.

“It is also our wish that when this project starts, we will already have established a project liaison committee (PLC) on this project. 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, to mention a few, must be represented in the PLC,” said Ndika.

SANRAL continuously strives to strengthen its relationship with stakeholders who are affected by its projects through these information sessions. The sessions are not only a platform for the roads agency to share information about job opportunities on its projects, but also about its transformation policy and Horizon 2030 Strategy.

Since introducing the Horizon 2030 Strategy, SANRAL has empowered local communities and SMMEs with information, giving them opportunities and enabling them to partner with more established construction companies on its projects.

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL to host information sessions on subcontracting on Thembalethu Bridge

Western Cape, 4 April 2022 – With construction on the upgrade of the Thembalethu Bridge in George set to start next month, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) is hosting information sessions with SMMEs to ensure they have all the necessary tools to tender for subcontracting opportunities.

The two information sessions will be held on Tuesday 12 April 2022:

• 09h00 at the Thembalethu Community Hall
• 14h00 at the Conville Community Hall

The scope of works involves the widening of the Thembalethu Bridge across the N2 from a single carriageway to accommodate two lanes in each direction, with additional turning lanes as well as extra space for pedestrians and cyclists. A new bridge will be constructed on the western side. Once completed, the existing bridge will be raised and stitched to the new bridge, to ensure that the upgraded structure complies with the minimum bridge clearance of 5.2 metres,” explained Petronella Theron, SANRAL Project Manager. The Project Liaison Committee (PLC) has called for current and prospective suppliers and subcontractors to apply to be registered on the subcontractor and supplier database. This database is intended to ensure that the companies registered will receive communication about tender notices and will further assist to give the main contractor an indication of the available expertise in the local community.

Subcontracting opportunities for construction include:

• Traffic accommodation
• Clearing
• Excavation of open drains
• Culvert structures
• Concrete kerbing and channelling
• Segmented block paving
• Stone pitching
• Road restraint systems
• Fencing
• Road signs
• Road marking and road studs
• Landscaping and planting plants
• Formwork
• Steel fixing
• Electrical

Supplier contracts are available for:

• Fuel
• Concrete
• Steel Reinforcement
• Plant Hire
• Site security
• Training service providers

“These information-sharing and training sessions are of cardinal importance to ensure we broaden the scope of economic opportunities to businesses in the surrounding communities. Our transformation objectives are particularly aligned to facilitate the participation of persons with disabilities, and women-owned and youth-owned businesses. We want to appeal to SMMEs to attend these sessions to ensure they are able to tender profitably and competitively,” explained Theron.