N 3TC manages the N3 Toll Route between Heidelberg in Gauteng and Cedara in KwaZulu-Natal.
At the start of another holiday season in South Africa, N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) makes an urgent appeal to road users to not drive (or park) in emergency lanes. It is illegal and dangerous to drive in the emergency lane. The only time you are permitted to move your vehicle into an emergency lane is when there is an actual emergency.
The National Road Traffic Act clearly prohibits vehicles driving in the emergency lane and/or using the lane to the left of the yellow line as a passing lane.
N3TC’s commercial manager, Con Roux, said: “With peak traffic conditions being expected again, we are concerned that road users who act with impunity may jeopardise road safety, prevent the delivery of urgent
medical services and inconvenience thousands of law-abiding road users by extending traffic delays.
“Significant resources are in place on the N3 Toll Route to manage traffic flow and provide emergency services, but road users need to play their part by obeying the law to help us ensure an optimal and safe travel experience for all.”
If possible, road users should travel outside of peak periods.
“And if they are going to be on the road at peak times,” said Roux, “we advise them to obtain advance traffic information and be prepared for unexpected delays.”
Congestion often occurs on the Van Reenen’s Pass section of the N3 Toll Route. About 1 700 vehicles per hour can safely be accommodated on Van Reenen’s Pass at any given time.
“Heavy vehicles are to keep left and may not, by law, overtake on sections of Van Reenen’s Pass,” he said.
Drivers are advised to plan their trips ahead by obtaining relevant and up-to- date traffic information on the N3 Toll Route by contacting the 24-hour N3TC Helpline on 0800 63 4357 (0800 N3 HELP) or by following N3TC on Twitter @N3Route. Any problems along the N3 Route can also be reported to the N3TC Helpline number.
T he upgrade and rehabilitation of certain sections of the N4 Toll Route are progressing well and Trans African Concessions (TRAC) is confident that the road works being undertaken will further cement this cross-border route as one of the best highways in Africa.
Expansion and rehabilitation work between the Highveld and OR Tambo Interchanges commenced in April 2017 and comprises expansion of this section into a six-lane carriageway. Roadworks for this R290m project are being done in the median, between km19 and km31, and will include the widening of eight bridges, pavement rehabilitation and ancillary works such as guardrails and drainage upgrades.
Despite the extensive roadworks, traffic has not been severely disrupted, as two lanes (with deviations) will be operational throughout the upgrade. Road users are, however, reminded that long-term day closures are in place and may result in minor delays.
Another section of the TRAC N4 toll road under construction is between Malaga Hotel and Montrose intersection in Elands Valley. This project, which also started in April 2017, will see 5km of passing lanes added and extensive rehabilitation work being done to 23km of pavement. Due to the topography of this section, permanent stop-and-gos have been operational since the start of the project and are expected to remain until its completion. The average stoppage time at each stop-and-go is 30 minutes.
Schoemanskloof can be used as an alternative route.
TRAC’s extensive upgrades on the Mozambican side of the N4 Toll Route are ongoing. The scope of work between Ressano Garcia and Moamba includes the rehabilitation of the road and six bridges, including the Moamba Interchange. Two permanent stop-and- gos are currently in effect and delays of approximately 15 minutes can be expected.
The upgrade of the N4 in Maputo (MDC sections 19 and 20) includes comprehensive roadworks between the Shoprite Centre Intersection in Matola and the 16 of June Circle in Maputo, as well as the construction of two additional lanes (one in each direction).
The rehabilitation of the pavement and the widening of seven structures will also form part of the construction works, which are estimated to be concluded at the end of 2018. There will be no lane closures, but lane deviations and partial closure of intersections will require speed restrictions.
The BIC Intersection is partially closed to accommodate Phase 1 of the project. The closure has resulted in the following traffic flow limitations:
a) Road users coming from Cinema 700 or from the old Matola road are unable to cross the N4. b) Road users traveling westbound (from Maputo/Shoprite) are unable to turn right. Median works have eliminated slow-lane shoulders. Traffic will be diverted to the completed median works.
M ore than 3 500 men, women and children were educated about breast, testicular and prostate cancer in communities adjacent to the Platinum Highway in North West Province during Women’s Month in August this year, thanks to a collaboration between Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concessionaire (Bakwena), Pink Drive and the Department of Health.
Public relations manager at Bakwena Charmaine van Wyk said the campaign kicked off at the Dinokana Community Health Centre and Lehurutshe Clinic in Zeerust.
“About 370 people were examined and educated about cancer,” she said. “The team also conducted mammograms on 14 patients, who were either older than 40 or had lumps identified.”
The second phase of the campaign took place at the Groot Marico Clinic and Tshwelelopele Clinic in Zeerust, where 359 patients were educated and examined, and another 14 mammograms were carried out.
In addition, PSA (prostate-specific antigen) examinations were conducted on 72 men.
In conjunction with the examination of adults, 3 112 children from surrounding schools (from Grades 7-11) were educated about the different types of cancer and what signs to look out for.
Van Wyk said contributing to the welfare of communities along the routes it constructs, operates, maintains and builds on behalf of the country was one aspect of Bakwena’s extensive social development programme.
“As a socially responsible company, we understand the importance of engaging in partnerships that bolster South Africa’s health and education systems,” Van Wyk said.
Bakwena thrives on supporting initiatives such as these. “Our communities are important to us and we feel strongly that all women, men and children should be equipped with as much information as possible to allow them to make informed decisions about their lives.”