N12 bridge over Orange River
- Hopetown's lifeline
The countdown has begun for the refurbished bridge over the Orange River on the N12 outside Hopetown, to be ready for its first vehicles early in 2019. Construction started in 2016 and notwithstanding some challenges along the way, some of which include working under live traffic conditions and violent protests in the Northern Cape, which have at times halted construction, the work is on track. What was once a 9.3m bridge, that has been serving road users for well over 50 years, is now an impressive structural masterpiece with a width of 15.4m, significantly increasing the capacity of the N12 as a major industrial and commercial artery between the Northern Cape and particularly the Western Cape.
Tiago Massingue, SANRAL Project Manager, says: “Building piers for a 12-span bridge in the Orange River was no walk in the park. We had to time our work carefully, taking seasonal rainfall, the strength of the river, environmental regulations and most importantly, the safety of the workers into account every step of the way. However, nature has a way of sometimes aiding technology and we were for the most part very fortunate to have had favourable weather conditions, particularly in an unforgiving climate
like that of the Northern Cape.“
In line with SANRAL’s Transformation Policy, of the R100m budget for this project, R20m was earmarked for SMME development, which not only created a platform for economic growth of small businesses in the surrounding areas, but directly impacted on job creation for the locals. Abraham Swartz from Hopetown, one of the subcontractors on this project, is incredibly proud of the 10 local residents he is able to give gainful employment to. “I have learnt so much from the main contractor, particularly on safety practices on site. It was my first time working on a project of this magnitude and I am grateful to SANRAL for giving us small businesses the opportunity to work alongside the big players and be capacitated for long-term sustainability,” said Swartz.
As the construction industry goes into the final stretch until work ceases in mid-December, the team on this project is pulling out all the stops to make sure they get as much done as possible, so that upon returning to site early in January, there are literally just a few finishing touches to bring to life a majestic concrete creation that is ready to serve road users for the next 50 years.
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Olifantshoek to Kathu–coming full circle
In evaluating the safety and capacity of the N14 between Olifantshoek and Kathu, SANRAL set out to improve and upgrade three intersections: Olifantshoek, Kathu South and Kathu North.
Friedl van der Merwe, SANRAL Project Manager, says: “The intersections were considered unsafe for motorists, as those travelling from Olifantshoek on the N14 would have to come to a complete stop at the intersection, to either turn left towards Kathu or right onto the R325 towards Postmasburg. Very often motorists did not anticipate this complete halt on a national road, and proceeded straight across the intersection into the veld, sometimes resulting in tragic fatalities.”
With industrial and residential expansion, the Kathu North and South intersections were experiencing significant increases in traffic
volumes, which further compromised safety and road capacity.
Steven Gerber, Resident Engineer from GIBB Consulting Engineers, says: “Chicanes are in< place to slow down particularly heavy trucks approaching the intersections and special attention was also given to pedestrian safety by incorporating sidewalks for safer pedestrian access.”
The total project cost is R66m, of which 23% was earmarked for SMME contractor development. Furthermore, 10% of the SMMEs were sourced from the surrounding communities
and, where needed, particular attention was given to capacity building and skills development.
Lazarus Phala, one of the SMME subcontractors on the project, said: “When I initially came on board, I had limited knowledge and experience in road construction, but thanks to the training and development, I am doing far more advanced work.”
Construction started in August 2017, and with the bulk of the work already done, it is anticipated that it will be completed by January 2019.
BUILDING SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH BETTER ROADS
HELLO NORTHERN CAPE 2018