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TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate

 R61 towards Mthatha is partially closed

Eastern Cape, 3 May 2022: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to notify motorists that the R61 about 12 km beyond Ngcobo towards Mthatha, close to Engxogi village, is partially closed due to a minor slope failure.

The failure was caused by persistent rain experienced during the past weeks. There is a stop-and-go control in place and one way traffic will run up until both lanes can be reopened. The distance of road closure 500m and the estimated time for practical completion is four weeks.

“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 FOSTERS NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH CONTRALESA

Pretoria, 1 May 2022 – As part of its ongoing efforts to build relationships with key stakeholders that are affected by its road construction projects, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has fostered a relationship with the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) to work together with traditional leaders and benefit rural communities.

“Contralesa is a very important stakeholder to us and we regard our engagement with yourselves as very critical to our mandate. We are charged with planning, building and maintaining national roads. Some of the roads that form part of the SANRAL network (and we are responsible for over 22 000km of the road network) traverse some of the land over which you are custodians. There is, therefore, no way we can execute on our mandate without working with yourselves,” said Vusi Mona, SANRAL’s General Manager for Communications.

He was speaking at a gala dinner hosted by SANRAL on Friday in Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

The start of a formal relationship between SANRAL and Contralesa started when Contralesa’s General Secretary Zolani Mkiva approached SANRAL in 2018. “Tonight’s engagement can be traced to the seed that was planted in 2018. We thank Contralesa for having the foresight and presence of mind back then to assign Umntwane Nkosi Mkiva to reach out to SANRAL. Here we are tonight in what we believe will be a meaningful and collaborative journey between Contralesa and SANRAL.” “This relationship must graduate to a relationship that is empowering in nature. We will not be fulfilled if our relationship only stops at gala dinners; this relationship must be economically empowering. When we build a road, that project must have an impact on that community and it must fulfil that community’s needs. As we build our national roads, we always ensure that there will be offshoots from our projects. For example, we may have adjacent roads to the national highways that will be constructed by the local communities, or sometimes the road may be a conduit to travel to schools, clinics or other government services,” said Mona.

One of the key decisions that SANRAL made over the past few years is to involve communities on its road infrastructure projects. This decision was motivated by the intent to uplift community members – particularly those in rural areas – who live around its projects. The key motivation is for rural communities to participate meaningfully in the construction of these roads.

Two examples of major projects that SANRAL has invested in that traverse rural and urban areas are the N2 Wild Coast Road Project in the Eastern Cape Province and the Moloto Road project, which traverses the three provinces of Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. These projects connect the country’s rural paths to urban centres, and at the same time stimulate economic development within rural economies.

The gala dinner with Contralesa was also a fitting occasion to celebrate its 36th year in existence. Since its formation in 1987, Contralesa has continued to be the voice of rural communities and has always sought for means to work with society to benefit those communities.

MEDIA RELEASE

 SANRAL SETS ASIDE MORE THAN R150 MILLION FOR EASTERN CAPE ROAD MAINTENANCE PROJECT

Eastern Cape, 25 April 2022: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) will spend more than R150 million on a special road maintenance project between Cookhouse and Bedford in the Eastern Cape Province. The is expected to be completed after 18 months.

Speaking at an information session with SMMEs in Cookhouse today (Monday 25 April), Thandile Makwabe, SANRAL Southern Region’s Transformation Officer, said the R63 national road project, which is valued at R155 million, will create much-needed job opportunities for local community members and SMMEs in the local municipalities of Blue Crane and Raymond Mhlaba.

Makwabe also said that SANRAL, working together with the two municipalities, has allocated a training budget on the project to upskill local SMMEs especially those emerging contractors who are in the lower grades as determined by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).

“The scope of work on this project will include the recycling of existing pavement surface and base layer, replacement of three existing culverts, crack sealing, replacement of defect fencing, as well as the repair of inlet and outlet structures of culverts,” added Makwabe.

“We have taken great care ensuring that we will start with the mobilisation period before the project starts. The mobilisation period is the period in which the appointed contractor on the project will interact with the community and set up Contract Participation Goals (CPG), which is the amount that will be allocated to SMME development. These matters will be discussed within the first three months together with the Project Liaison Committee (PLC),” said Vanda Nqunqa, SANRAL Southern Region’s SMME Coordinator.

“Guided by our transformation policy, 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, in our procurement processes,” said Nqunqa.

Nqunqa stressed that SANRAL continues to devise means to ensure that local communities continue to benefit from its procurement processes. She explained SANRAL’s tender process, sharing information on steps that targeted enterprises should take when tendering for projects offered by SANRAL.

Welekazi Ndika, SANRAL Southern Region’s Stakeholder Coordinator, said that SANRAL’s 14 Point Plan – which is a guide to facilitate better project-level liaison with local communities and structures that are affected by SANRAL’s projects – will assist greatly in ensuring transparency and inclusivity with local communities that will work on the project.

“Through our 14 Point Plan, we envisaged to already have established a Project Liaison Committee (PLC) when the construction starts 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 – must be represented in the PLC,” said Ndika. Steps have already been undertaken to establish a PLC.

Local councillor Zamuxolo Baskiti thanked SANRAL for introducing the project to the Blue Crane local municipality. “There is a high level of unemployment in this municipality; working together with SANRAL we will help to alleviate this problem through this project,” he said.

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 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.

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

Eastern Cape, 26 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 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
West Coast SMMEs encouraged to step up and be counted for subcontracting on the N7 upgrade

Western Cape, 26 April 2022 – The South African National Raods Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) recently engaged with SMMEs in the West Coast District Municipality to unlock bottlenecks that may have contributed to the slow uptake of subcontracting tenders for the N7 upgrade between Rooidraai and Moorreesburg.

The R600 million project has just under three years left of the construction period and as such there are still significant opportunities for project participation by subcontractors.

“So committed is SANRAL to expanding the reach of economic inclusion for black businesses on our projects, that we are actively encouraging SMMEs to tender for work packages, particularly for 1CE and 2CE graded entities, where we stress that no prior experience is necessary,” said Petronella Theron, SANRAL Project Manager.

The morning session was held in Clanwilliam, attended by approximately 30 business owners. “As start-up small contractors, our companies do not yet have financial resources or transport infrastructure, so we need support and particularly information about the upcoming opportunities so that we don’t find out after other entities have already been awarded contracts and we miss out,” said Granville Williams, of Grangray General Building and Civil Pty Ltd.

Enrico Sampson, from the Local Economic Development (LED) unit at the Cedarberg Local Municipality, who also serves on the Project Liaison Committee (PLC), reiterated the role of the PLC in terms of not only having an oversight role, but also sharing information about the project to the various stakeholders in the community.

A second session was held in Piketberg in the afternoon, with even more SMMEs than the morning. Joubert Skei, owner of Mncotshe Construction and Cleaning Projects, lauded SANRAL for the information session. “We are incredibly grateful to SANRAL for bringing this opportunity to us in the Bergriver Municipality. We desperately need project participation opportunities, but first we need training on how to submit responsive, competitive and profitable tenders,” said Skei.

Through various MOUs SANRAL prioritises training and capacity building of SMMEs, both at the hand of the main contractor and industry bodies like the South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors (SAFCEC).

“True transformation in the sector is only possible when you prioritise both access for black businesses as well as guidance and mentoring,” said Morné Windvogel, SANRAL Transformation Officer in the Western Region.

The following packages are still to be subcontracted:

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

“These information sessions with SMMEs were most encouraging. Fear of failure and finding government tender processes intimidating should not prevent people from taking a chance and submitting a tender. We will address the training needs and we are hopeful that the small businesses in these communities will recognise the significant economic injection that comes with a project of this magnitude and submit their tenders for the relevant remaining packages,” said Petronella Theron, SANRAL Project Manager.

SANRAL ADDRESSES TRANSPORT SECTOR ON MUCH-NEEDED ROAD INFRASTUCTURE INVESTMENT IN KING SABATA DALINDYEBO MUNICIPALITY

 Eastern Cape, 21 April 2022:  The transport sector in the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality has welcomed road infrastructure investments worth more than R2 billion by the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL).

Welekazi Ndika, SANRAL Southern Region Stakeholder Coordinator, spoke to industry members at the agency’s information session held yesterday in Mthatha. She also expressed SANRAL’s key role in transforming the construction sector and reiterated that the roads agency will also continue to ensure that previously marginalised individuals participate and benefit from its road infrastructure development projects.

“The road infrastructure investment by Sanral will bring much-needed economic opportunities for local business enterprises and communities,” said Ndika.

SANRAL has invested in several projects in the municipality, including the upgrading of the R61 Baziya to Mthatha Airport, the R61 from Mthatha Airport to Madeira Street and the N2 national road from Viedgesville to Mthatha.

Construction of the Baziya to Mthatha Airport project is currently underway. About R237 million has been allocated for the project, which is anticipated to be completed at the end of March next year. Construction of the new Mthatha bypass on the National Route N2 is currently in the assessment stage. More than R1 billion has been invested for this project. In addition, SANRAL also has a community development project linked to the N2 Viedgesville – Mthatha project in the pipeline. The estimated budget for this project is R200 million.

With this engagement particularly scheduled to engage the transport sector, SANRAL Project Manager Athi Kiviet stressed the importance of having the sector represented on the PLCs of the various projects. “This would ensure that the transport sector can share their expectations with the project management team, particularly while some of the projects are still in design phase,” said Kiviet.

The Mthatha Local and Long-Distance Bus Association was represented by a few of their members who expressed huge support for SANRAL’s work in the region. “We are happy about the planned and current road upgrades and even more pleased to hear that no SANRAL projects will be launched without meaningful stakeholder engagement,” said Sifanele Gabada, of Gabada Tours.

The information session 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
Slope stabilisation on N1 in Riemhoogte Cutting Beaufort West

Western Cape, 22 April 2022 – Road users are advised to proceed with utmost caution when travelling through the Riemhoogte Cutting on the N1 outside Beaufort West, as the shoulders have been removed to make allowance for a work zone for the contractor doing slope stabilisation in the cutting.

The R37-million slope stabilisation project is well underway, and the lane configuration of two uphill northbound lanes and a single downhill southbound lane has been maintained since the start of the contract in January 2022.
The restriction of the lane widths and the removal of the shoulders was necessitated in order to provide the contractor with sufficient work area at the bottom of the cutting and still maintain two uphill lanes.

There will be no change in the configuration of the lanes, but the directional traffic will be maintained by delineators along the no-passing centre line on the road. This means that there is currently no provision made for overtaking of slower moving downhill traffic.

“We appeal to motorists for patience, vigilance and courtesy when travelling through the cutting. Let us take collective responsibility for our safety and that of road construction workers and pedestrians,” said Senzo Ngobese, Project Manager of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL).

MEDIA RELEASE
Huguenot Tunnel traffic volumes slightly down from last year’s Easter count

Western Cape, 21 April 2022 – Traffic volumes through the Huguenot Tunnel this past Easter weekend reached 63 142, which is slightly less than last year’s count of 64 314.

Preliminary reports indicating less fatalities on Western Cape roads as recorded by the Freeway Management System (FMS), which monitors just over 160km of freeways across the province, are most encouraging.

“If we can start to see improved road user behaviour, combined with an environment more conducive to compliance, we could see further reductions in serious and fatal crashes on our roads, even during peak travel times,” said Randall Cable, Western Region Manager of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL).

The Thursday before Good Friday typically sees the highest peak in traffic through the tunnel, with 22 504 vehicles recorded this year, of which 14 747 were headed out of Cape Town and 7 757 inbound. The same time last year saw 23 419 vehicles pass through the toll plaza.

On Easter Monday, we generally expect the next peak, and this year was no different, with 19 593 vehicles recorded, of which 14 403 vehicles were headed home to Cape Town and 5 190 being outbound. This was slightly up from last year’s count of 19303. The average vehicle count per hour was 816.

Easter 2022 traffic volume through the Huguenot Tunnel

 

Thursday	Good Friday	Easter Saturday	Easter Monday
22504	13672	7373	19593

Easter 2021 traffic volume through the Huguenot Tunnel

MEDIA RELEASE
SANRAL remains committed to advancing economic participation of black business

Pretoria,14 April 2022 – The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) confirms that it has successfully applied to National Treasury for an exemption from the application of the provisions of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA). This follows a recent Constitutional Court ruling that the 2017 Preferential Procurement Regulations are unlawful, and an interim directive from National Treasury that:

• tenders advertised before 16 February 2022 be finalised in terms of the 2017 Regulation
• tenders advertised on or after 16 February 2022 be held in abeyance
• no new tenders be advertised

Going forward, all contracts will be subject to SANRAL’s internal procurement policies and not the PPPFA and will continue to be guided by SANRAL’s Transformation Policy.

In its Transformation Policy Statement, SANRAL commits, among others, to maximising the participation of black contractors, professionals, suppliers and designated groups in all its projects, capitalising on the redress provisions in the Constitution and prevailing legislative frameworks.

“SANRAL will continue to follow its transformation policy to advance its transformation objectives,” added the roads agency’s Spokesperson Vusi Mona.