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TRAFFIC ADVISORY
N3 BLOCKED IN VAN REENEN’S PASS

Pietermaritzburg, 16 June 2022 – The National Route 3 (N3) is currently blocked in both directions in Van Reenen’s Pass, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) has announced.

“Law enforcement authorities are on the scene and are advising road users who are travelling towards Durban in Colenso to go back. The road is also blocked from South towards Gauteng and we ask the road users to delay their trips or find alternative routes,” said Dumisani Nkabinde, SANRAL’s Eastern Regional Manager.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
CLOSURE OF N3 FROM LYNNFIELD PARK TO ASHBURTON

Pietermaritzburg, 15 June 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) would like to inform road users that the section of the N3 national road between Lynnfield Park and Ashburton in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal will be closed between 7pm today (15 June) and 5am tomorrow (16 June). Traffic will be reduced to one lane.

“The closure will be done because of milling and replacement of the road surface upgrade on this section of the road,” said Jason Lowe, SANRAL Eastern Region’s Project Manager.

“We also appeal to road users to reduce their speed to 60km/h as indicated on the construction site. We also urge motorists to plan their trips accordingly as there will be traffic delays for up to one hour,” added Lowe.

SANRAL apologises to road users for the inconvenience that this may cause.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY
Lane closure for slope stabilisation on the N2 at Groot Brak

Western Cape, 14 June 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited
(SANRAL) hereby informs road users of a lane closure on the N2 Section 7 at Groot Brak in
the Western Cape from Monday 20 June 2022.

The slope will be stabilised by implementing a spaced pile solution, which will require the
installation of two rows of 610mm diameter concrete rotary percussion type piles. A shallow
landslide fence system will also be installed.

To access and undertake the proposed remedial works along the cutting, the contractor
needs to close off the slow lane in the east bound direction. A temporary performance-based
vehicle restraint system will separate the work zone from the traffic lane.

The lane closure, which is approximately 700m in length, remains in place until 31 July 2023.
This is to give the contractor sufficient working space while stabilising the slope of the rock
cutting.

All traffic will be accommodated past the work zone in the east bound direction using a
single lane, with a speed limit of 60km/h. The west bound traffic lanes will not be affected.

“We appeal to road users to be vigilant, patient and compliant with speed restrictions in the
construction area. This is a short-term inconvenience, that will ultimately ensure the
long-term safety of road users,” said David Le Cordeur, SANRAL Project Manager in the
Western Region.

 

MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL explains rationale for cancellation of major Eastern Cape tenders

Eastern Cape, 14 June 2022 – The cancellation of the Mtentu Bridge and the rehabilitation of the R56 tenders in the Eastern Cape Province was necessary to ensure compliance with the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited’s (SANRAL) procurement processes, said SANRAL Board Chairperson, Themba Mhambi.

Explaining to the district leadership of the OR Tambo District Municipality in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, Mhambi said that the SANRAL Board adopted a resolution that consultants involved in the design and development of technical specifications for projects should not be involved in the evaluation of technical submissions by bidders. The Board adopted this resolution because it deemed it to uphold and enforce proper governance in SANRAL.

“At the beginning of 2020, the SANRAL Board adopted a resolution that the consultants who are involved in the design and the development of technical specifications of tenders should not be involved in the evaluation of technical submissions by bidders. We felt that this is an appropriate control measure that is used to prevent collusion, fraud, conflict of interest, misuse of information and corruption. Previously, design consultants were part of the Technical Evaluation Panel that made a recommendation on the technical part of the tender to the Bid Evaluation Committee,” said Mhambi.

“With regard to the Mtentu Bridge project on the N2 Wild Coast Road Project, we became aware that the same design consultants were involved in the design and the development of technical specifications as well as in the evaluation of technical submissions of the bidders.  No prior approval had been sought from the Board to deviate from the resolution.”

“A bid that should have been considered as non-responsive because it was not submitted in the prescribed and required format in terms of the specifications was accepted. The specifications included an increase in the scope of works by virtue of additional roads that were originally planned for community development projects in order to accommodate the 30% sub-contracting requirement.

“This resulted in a deviation from the 30% subcontracting and there was no 30% subcontracting on the actual project. The deviation was done without the requisite Board approval, and we found this to be irregular,” said Mhambi.

The same irregularities were discovered in the rehabilitation of the R56 Matatiele project.

Mhambi also dispelled the confusion and misinformation that SANRAL has cancelled projects in the Eastern Cape Province. “We want to stress from the outset that SANRAL has not cancelled projects in the Eastern Cape. The two tenders that I have just mentioned have been cancelled, but not current projects in the province.”

“As an organisation we recognise the important relationship that we have with the province in unlocking and unleashing major developments to local communities, particularly on towns that straddle the major N2 Wild Coast Road project,” added Mhambi.

From 2009 to date, SANRAL has invested over R14 billion on infrastructure development projects in the OR Tambo District Municipality, spanning across the local municipalities of Ingquza Hill, King Sabata Dalindyebo, Mhlontlo, Nyandeni Local and Port St Johns, explains SANRAL’s Manager for the Southern Region, Mbulelo Peterson.

This investment has been welcomed by the district. “These massive investments into the district not only translate into infrastructure development in the region, but it also means that more job opportunities have been available for local community members. As a district, we also continue to work together with SANRAL and our local municipalities to coordinate efforts to assist local SMMEs in benefiting from SANRAL projects.”

“We continue to value the partnership that we have with SANRAL, particularly in light of the recent provincial roads within OR Tambo District that will be gazetted by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula. The managing and maintenance of these roads will now be taken over by SANRAL,” said OR Tambo District Deputy Executive Mayor, Thokozile Sokhanyile.

MEDIA RELEASE

SANRAL’s Smart Mobility Strategy Fosters Change on Country’s National Roads

Pretoria, 10 June 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited’s (SANRAL) Smart Mobility strategy has made great strides in fostering change and finding innovative solutions to the country’s national road network.

Speaking at the African Smart Cities Summit held at Gallagher Estate in Midrand, Johannesburg, on Wednesday (today), Siveshni Pillay, SANRAL Northern Region’s Project Manager, said the mobility strategy continues to assist in shifting towards managing and operating the national road network from the traditional maintenance and upgrade mandate.

“Developing and documenting our Smart Mobility Strategy talks to a new mind shift that incorporates existing implemented smart solutions and new solutions into a strategic document with clear key deliverables and targets. There’s a growing trend towards using technology to optimise infrastructure and innovation on national roads. Implementing and enhancing these smart solutions is critical to ensure that we continue to deliver on an effective, reliable and impactful national road network for road users,” she said.

One of the key innovative solutions that SANRAL introduced was the Freeway Management System (FMS), which essentially monitors the country’s national freeways 24/7 for 365 days a year.

“Through FMS, we have been able to manage congestion on our freeways by using various intelligent tools. We are also able to respond speedily when there is an accident scene on our freeways in Gauteng with dedicated On Road Services provided to road users free of charge. FMS plays an important role in reducing delays on accident scenes on the freeways. By reducing travel delays, FMS also plays an important role in saving time travelling on the national road network.

The pilot project on this initiative started in October 2006 and it has been deployed in three cities: Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town,” said Pillay.

Closely linked to FMS, another smart mobility solution that SANRAL introduced back in 2000 is Electronic Toll Collection (ETC). This innovation helps road users to minimise movement delays and payments at toll plazas through a one tag, one account, central clearing system. This means that road users with tag in their vehicles can use this system at all existing toll plazas that are managed by SANRAL its concessionaires where e-tag readers are installed.

The SANRAL Mobile App, which road users can download on their mobile smart phones and tablets, also allows for users to have an easily accessible means of managing their Mobility Account, which is envisaged to integrate into any travel-related infrastructure.

Through the App, road users can also manage their user profiles, their vehicle data, travel information and other information such as parking at shopping centres and malls countrywide. All this information is uploaded in real time.

“Another key innovative solution that we have come up with at SANRAL is Account Based Ticketing (ABT) for users of public transport. ABT is a ticketless way for public transport commuters to travel by tapping or scanning a secure token which is linked to one’s account in the back office. Any value or information on the account is stored in the back office only. The fare is charged to the commuter post the journey.

“The traditional transport travel card does not have any value stored on the card chip but acts as identification of the traveller only. We work on the premise that mobility on our public transport is integrated and stems from one system,” added Pillay.

SANRAL has already also undertaken numerous research projects that are currently underway on its mobility innovation programme with universities and industry experts.

“Futuristic solutions include autonomous vehicle test sections across the country, electrical vehicle charging facilities as well as battery exchange facilities, smart roads which will entail in-road wireless charging, and truck platooning, to mention a few,” said Pillay.

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL projects to create jobs for local residents in Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality

Limpopo, 10 June 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) hosted a stakeholder information sharing session in the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality on Wednesday, 8 June 2022. SANRAL uses the information sessions to strengthen communication with stakeholders and consult in a timely manner regarding project-related activities from which local communities can benefit.

During the session, stakeholders raised questions regarding the principles of project liaison, subcontracting and labour sourcing systems in SANRAL projects. Stakeholders noted that there should be a coordinated approach between SANRAL and the local municipality in the formation of Project Liaison Committee (PLC) structures, and that the process should be inclusive and transparent.

SANRAL Stakeholder Coordinator, Moloko Masenya highlighted that SANRAL is guided by the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act to work with the municipality each time projects are implemented locally. One of the project-related activities in which SANRAL receives guidance from the municipality is on the formation of PLC structures. The formation of PLCs is applied in a fair and transparent manner and according to the PLC guidelines.

“The important task for SANRAL is to deliver value to South African citizens and road users through the successful implementation of quality road infrastructure and to positively have an impact on communities where we work by creating jobs for local communities and subcontracting opportunities for local SMMEs,” she said.

SANRAL Project Manager in the Northern Region, Evelyn Sambo said SANRAL projects will create jobs for local labour and training for unskilled labour in Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality.

“While we build national roads as SANRAL, we make sure that the members of the community are given job opportunities to be part of the road infrastructure development and benefit from it. Over and above the main contractors, we also ensure that sub-contractors are selected from the local area to help SANRAL build and maintain the national roads.”

The Executive Mayor of the Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality, Honourable Marlene van Stranden, welcomed SANRAL’s initiative to engage stakeholders. She noted that this initiative presents an opportunity for stakeholders within the local municipality to be well informed about all SANRAL’s current and future projects and it assists SMMEs to prepare themselves for tendering opportunities.

“As Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality, we rely on partnerships that will create much-needed job opportunities for locals. SANRAL is bringing a number of projects in our municipality, not only will these projects yield opportunities for employment and subcontracting, but they will upgrade our roads, meaning that all the tourists and some of the stakeholders who travel on the roads will travel safely,” she said.

The following projects have been earmarked for execution:

Routine Road Maintenance (RRM)

There are currently three RRM projects affecting Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality. The duration of these is 36 months and they are estimated to cost between R40 million to R50 million each. Opportunities for subcontracting RRM projects include the clearing and grubbing, protection against erosion and erection of guardrails.

• Routine Road Maintenance of National Roads N11 from the Ephraim Mogale Municipal Boundary to Mogalakwena Municipal Boundary, R33 from N11 Intersection to Modimolle, and R101 from Middelfontein to Mogalakwena Municipal Boundary.
• Non-Toll Routine Road Maintenance of National Roads R101 from Bela-Bela to Middelfontein, R516 from Thabazimbi Municipal Boundary to Bela-Bela, R520 from Lephalale Municipal Boundary to R33 Intersection at Vaalwater, and R33 From Modimolle to Lephalale Municipal Boundary.
• Routine Road Maintenance of National Roads N1 Section 23 from Bela-Bela to Cyferfontein, N1 Section 24 from Cyferfontein to Middelfontein, N1 Section 25 from Middelfontein to Rielvlei.

Upgrade projects

There are currently four upgrade projects affecting Modimolle-Mookgophong Local Municipality. The projects are in the detailed design phase. Opportunities for subcontracting on these projects include road reserve fencing, extension of existing pipe culverts and erection of guardrails, road markings and road signs.

• Improvement of National Road R101 Section 8 from Bela Bela to Modimolle. Construction planned to start in January 2023 and is estimated to cost R600 million.
• Improvement of National Road R33 Section 12 from N1 to Section 13 in Modimolle. Construction planned to start in April 2023 and is estimated to cost R272 million.
• Improvement of National Road R33 Section 13 from Modimolle to Wittklip. Construction planned to start late 2023 and is estimated to cost R190 million.
• Upgrading of Vaalwater Town. Construction planned to start in April 2023 and is estimated to cost R150 million.

SANRAL will continue to provide and manage a safe national road network to enable and contribute to economic growth and social development.

MEDIA RELEASE

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

Pietermaritzburg, 07 June 2022 – The reconstruction of the slow lane on National Route 3 (N3) Section 3 from Sanctuary Road to Link Road will result in road closures, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has said.

The contractor is scheduled to paint the temporary road markings and replace damaged road studs from 7 June 2022 to 9 June 2022. “Both the northbound and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane for short periods of time. The work is estimated to take three nights starting from 7 June 2022 until 9 June 2022.

The work will be done between 21h00 and 04h00. Two lanes will be open for traffic on both northbound and southbound carriageways between hours of 04h00 and 21h00,” said Thabiso Dladla, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Project Manager.

The current closure in the lanes has reduced the roadway to two lanes, and only the middle and the far-right lanes will be in use. The contractor must reduce the traffic to only one lane to be able to work safely. The closures will be of a rolling nature, meaning they are not permanent but rather moving with the contracting team as they paint and replace the road studs.

Light motor vehicles are urged to use the alternate route only during the closure.

“Motorists travelling from Howick towards Pietermaritzburg, can take the Cedara off-ramp, and travel on Old Howick Rd to Athlone Circle. Vehicles travelling northwards will have to take the Dr Chota Motala off-ramp to miss the temporary closure,” said Dladla.

Heavy vehicles stopping at the arrestor bed on the southbound carriageway will be safely guided into the designated lane with assistance from the contractor’s safety officer.

“We appeal to road users to note and comply with the advance warning signs and speed restrictions when travelling past the construction work zones and apologise for the inconvenience this may cause,” said Dladla.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate

Blasting on the R63 between Fort Beaufort and Alice

Eastern Cape, 7 June 2022: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to notify travellers that blasting is scheduled to take place between Fort Beaufort and Alice today, Tuesday, 7 June 2022.

It is anticipated that blasting will take place between 13:00 and 16:00, approximately 18km from Fort Beaufort, when travelling towards Alice.

The road will be closed during the blasting. The duration of the closure will be kept as short as possible.

Motorists travelling southwards towards Alice and King Williams Town may consider using the following alternative routes:

• From Queenstown, follow the N6 to Cathcart, turn right on the R345 to Alice or continue on the N6 to Stutterheim and, on exiting the town, turn right onto R346 to King Williams Town.
• From N10 junction with the R63 towards Fort Beaufort on R63, follow the R67 from Fort Beaufort to Grahamstown to join the N2 to King Williams Town.
• From Whittlesea, follow the R67 towards Seymour, turn left onto the R351 towards Cathcart on the N6, then turn right and continue on the N6 to Stutterheim, turn right onto the R346 to King Williams Town.

Motorists travelling northwards towards Queenstown and westwards towards the N10 or Whittlesea may consider using the following alternative routes:

• From King Williams Town to Queenstown, follow the R346 to Stutterheim, turn left on the N6 to Queenstown.
• From Alice to Queenstown, follow the R345 to Cathcart and turn left onto the N6 to Queenstown.
• From King Williams Town towards N10, follow the N2 towards Grahamstown, turn right on the R67 to Fort Beaufort, then turn left onto the R63 towards the N10.
• From King Williams Town towards Whittlesea, follow the R346 to Stutterheim, turn left onto the N6 to Cathcart. Before entering Cathcart, turn left onto R351 to Whittlesea. On reaching the R67, turn right to Whittlesea.

“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

REPAIRS TO ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE IN KWAZULU NATAL UNDERWAY

Pietermaritzburg, 4 June 2022 – Repairs to the road infrastructure devastated by the April floods in KwaZulu Natal are well underway, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has announced.

“Since the April floods that damaged several roads in KwaZulu Natal, the SANRAL team has worked tirelessly to put in place make-safe measures across the N2 and N3 network. Traffic deviations and traffic accommodation were necessary in some areas of the network,” said Dumisani Nkabinde, SANRAL’s Eastern Regional Manager.

SANRAL has assured communities, especially those who feel neglected, that all roads in all areas will be attended to. SANRAL has devised a priority matrix to fix and repair all affected routes to ensure that the entire network is open to traffic.

“We are mindful that there are areas that are restricted to traffic and some reduced to one lane. However, SANRAL’s team is working tirelessly to ensure accessibility in these areas. The repairs on the uMhlanga River Bridge, where the N2 north carriageway was reduced to a single lane, are going according to plan. It is envisaged that it will be open to traffic in the week commencing 6 June 2022,” said Nkabinde.

SANRAL urges the public to practice caution when driving through the areas where repairs are taking place across the networks.

“SANRAL wishes to express sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the multiple vehicle accident that took place near Pietermaritzburg and speedy recovery to the injured. We would like to thank the motorists for their patience during the restoration period. This is a temporary inconvenience,” said Nkabinde.

Section 24 of the N2 Northbound Carriageway between Umzinto and Umgababa was open to traffic on Friday, 27 May 2022, after the road had undergone thorough project completion inspection and all the requirements, including road safety features, were met

Welekazi Ndika, SANRAL Southern Region’s stakeholder relations coordinator, addressed the community
of Maqhinebeni Village on Sunday, 22 May 2022. Meetings were held with communities of Payne and
Viedgesville on Sunday, 29 May.

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL shares road construction plans with Mthatha, surrounding rural communities

Eastern Cape, 2 June 2022: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) shared its robust plans for road infrastructure development projects, tallying to more than R1 billion, for the town of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape Province.

Plans to upgrade the N2 Section 18 from Viedgesville to Mthatha and the Community Development (CD) project were outlined at information sessions that SANRAL hosted with community members of Maqhinebeni, Qweqwe, KwaPayne and Viedgesville villages near Mthatha. The meetings were held on Sunday, 22 May and Sunday, 29 May.

“The N2 from Viedgesville to Mthatha project will include an upgrade to a four-lane divided by the median or physical barrier to a dual carriageway, improvements to intersections and interchanges on the road, construction of agricultural underpasses, provision of pedestrian bridges, strengthening of the existing pavement, road signage and marking, and streetlight, to mention a few. The estimated allocated budget on this project is R1.1 billion and the project is still in the design phase. The main contractor has not yet been appointed,” said Welekazi Ndika, SANRAL Southern Region’s Stakeholder Coordinator.

“The community development project, on the other hand, will entail the construction of community access roads that are adjacent to the N2 national road. The tender for the main contractor is at the procurement stage and the estimated project value is R250 million. These projects will create much needed jobs for the local community, and they will also be trained to work on these projects,” said Ndika.

The projects will also help greatly in alleviating road accident carnages on this section of the N2 national road, which is often caused by stray animals.

SANRAL’s 14 Point Plan, which is SANRAL’s interventions that seeks to ensure that previously disadvantaged individuals benefit from its projects, will assist in ensuring transparency and inclusivity with local communities that will work on the projects.

Ndika urged community members to work together with their project liaison committees (PLCs). “Through our 14 Point Plan, we envisage to already have established PLCs 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,” she said.

Attending the information session in Maqhinebeni, AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo urged community members to work together amicably for the greater good and development of their communities and urged for their patience and work together with SANRAL.

Steps to have ongoing stakeholder outreach programmes with affected landowners and the relocation of affected properties on the N2 national road Viedgesville to Mthatha project will also be undertaken by SANRAL to share information with these affected community members. This is done in consultation with local traditional leaders.

Vuyokazi Mayeza, SANRAL’s social facilitator on the project, said SANRAL started consultations with community members and other key stakeholders on this project back in 2019. She urged those present to also make other community members aware of the progress that SANRAL has done in making this project a reality.

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 to share information about its transformation policies 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.

Videos of the information sessions can be found here:

https://we.tl/t-byfX9f7kDZ (Maqhinebeni meeting)
https://we.tl/t-tKwaOJlBz2 (Qweqwe meeting)
https://we.tl/t-3p1RW4ZOOK (Viedgesville meeting)