More than 500 job opportunities have been created and a legacy of empowerment will be left behind after completion of the construction work. 

The upgrade of the N7 in Malmesbury goes way beyond construction and has social inclusion at its very core.  

With a budget of R505-million, this project has created more than 500 work opportunities for residents since January 2015. 

This has far-reaching consequences in terms of the economic development of the town. 

Upgrades 

The existing single carriageway of the N7 Section 1 from kilometre 48 to  km 52 is being upgraded to a dual carriageway freeway, which would tie into the existing dual carriageway section beginning south of the Darling Road Interchange at km 52. 

This interchange is being upgraded in order to improve the capacity for traffic movement between the western and eastern parts of Malmesbury, situated on opposite sides of the N7.  

This is accomplished by dualling the Darling/Bokomo road under the N7, and improving the layout of the N7 ramps and ramp terminals. 

Alexi Maravelias of AECOM, SANRAL’s Consulting Engineers on this project, said: “This is a multi-phased project and our specific section, which spans approximately 4.5km, involved intense rehabilitation of the existing road, as well as the re-construction of 13 structures.” 

Stefanutti Stocks and Power Construction formed a consortium to ensure they could draw on the highly-specialised skills needed for a project as complex as this one. 

Community wins 

Poens Venter, MD of Power Construction, was highly pleased that the improved interchange not only improves traffic flow but also brings the residents of Wesbank closer to jobs and other amenities within the town of Malmesbury, thereby vastly increasing social inclusion in this area. 

For SANRAL, it is crucial that its projects must not only significantly contribute to economic development and job creation, but that a legacy of empowerment must be left behind after the completion of the construction work. 

Project Liaison Officer on this project, Lilian Leukes, has put her heart and soul into ensuring she facilitates as many developmental opportunities as possible for the residents to benefit from inclusion in this project.  

“As a result of this project many of our local residents have been able to put food on the table, while others have used this as a launchpad to further their education and career growth,” said Leukes. 

On a project of this magnitude challenges are par for the course and, according to Grant White, Site Agent of the Stefanutti Stocks Power Consortium, pedestrian and traffic accommodation during construction was one the major challenges.  

White lauded the community for their patience and cooperation during construction. 

“This project is in the final stages and we are incredibly proud not only of the world-class quality of the N7 in terms of the road-user experience, but also of the major role the construction industry has played and continues to play in spearheading economic development in our country,” said Steph Bredenhann, SANRAL Project Manager.