UNLOCKING POTENTIAL
Limpopo is set for a major boost with SANRAL’s upgrade of the Polokwane Eastern Ring Road.
The northern section of the N1 highway serves as a gateway to Southern Africa and the southern section connects Tshwane, Johannesburg, Bloemfontein and Cape Town.
With growth in the provincial economy through mining, tourism and agricultural activities, it became important to establish a ring road around Polokwane, to provide an alternate route and to avoid increasing levels of congestion in the CBD.
The first phase of the upgrade entailed constructing a new road from the Tzaneen intersection (R71) past the Mooketsi
interchange (R81) at Mall of the North – rejoining the old N1, north of the city. This phase was completed in 2011. The second phase is now under way.
The development has been contracted to Basil Read Construction, a fully compliant B-BBEE construction company that won the work through an open tender. The 14.9km of work involves building additional bridges
and new carriageways, to give preference to traffic flow on the ring road, thereby easing congestion in the CBD.
The project is spread over three years and will aid the development of Limpopo’s vibrant economy.
Besides the benefits for business, KBK Engineers’ Martin Boonstra said: “Already the project has created 110 jobs and this is a positive economic boost for the area.”
Community liaison officer Stephina Masenya said: “The cooperation of the community is very important for this project. Our relationship with the municipality is strong, as they supply the labour. Labour is sourced from Flora Park, Ivy Park, Fauna Park and surrounding areas.
“Eight small businesses have been subcontracted for services such as drainage, concrete crushing, drilling and blasting, fencing, traffic signaling and security services.”
The project is expected to be completed in November 2018, weather permitting.
