Construction on the N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) has begun and is progressing well.

The first phase of the project, which includes the construction of the temporary haul roads in the Msikaba and Mtentu Bridge road reserves, began in November 2016. The project started with the search and rescue of threatened or protected plant species in the road reserve before commencing the construction of the gravel sections of the haul roads. The construction of the concrete sections of the haul road, as well as the construction of new houses and the relocation of graves and affected households, will be completed by the end of October 2017.

As announced in late August 2017, SANRAL has awarded the tender to construct the Mtentu River Gorge Bridge to the Aveng Strabag Joint Venture (JV). The JV partners consist of Aveng Grinaker-LTA, a South African-based construction company Lead Project Manager UP DA T E and Strabag, a construction company in Europe with extensive experience in major balanced-cantilever-methodology bridge construction. Construction is expected to start in November 2017 and last a minimum of 40 months (3½ years). Once completed the 1 132m long and over 220m-high bridge will be the highest bridge in Africa and the Southern Hemisphere.

Since no responsive tenders were received for the Msikaba Bridge, SANRAL will advertise a new tender in the last quarter of 2017. Construction of the cable-stayed Msikaba Bridge and the associated N2WCR road infrastructure should start in late 2018 and last approximately 33 months (3 years).

The Eastern Cape State House held a minesterial meeting on 17 August 2017 to discuss the N2WCR. At the meeting, issues related to SMME involvement, community benefits and the impact of the road on tourism were addressed. The delegation included Minister of Transport Joe Maswanganyi, Premier Phumlo Masualle, MEC for roads and public works Thandiswa Marawu, MEC for transport Weziwe Tikana, Matete Matete (member of the SANRAL board), Chris Hlabisa, deputy DG of roads transport at the National Department of Transport, SANRAL CEO Sikhumbuzo Macozoma and other senior management in all spheres of government.

Through various means possible SANRAL continues to engage all role players with local stakeholders, both directly and through our various service providers. In addition to the highlevel meetings SANRAL holds with various stakeholders, our property management service provider, Manco JV, together with the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) are proceeding with land acquisition along the route ahead of design and construction. Manco JV and DRDLR will engage with each affected community directly through a series of public meetings.

Two service providers have recently been appointed for the detailed design of two road construction packages and will soon begin engaging directly with communities between Lingeni and the Msikaba Bridge (east of Lusikisiki), as well as between the Msikaba Bridge and the Mtentu Bridge south of Holy Cross.

Together with a social facilitator, these consulting engineering companies will engage directly with local leadership and communities on issues such as the number and location of community projects, access roads, intersections and pathways, as well as agricultural and pedestrian underpasses and bridges.

This engagement will ensure communities on either side of the new road will be able to participate in ensuring that they are able to access the new road, as well as continue to move themselves and livestock from one side of the road to the other easily and safely. This model of direct community engagement will be rolled out across all other sections of the road as soon as the service providers are appointed.