Construction on the Msikaba bridge begins
The construction on the Msikaba bridge started in February and is expected to be complete in three years. The total contract amount is approximately R2.15bn.
SANRAL awarded the tender to Concor Mota- Engil Joint Venture – a strategic partnership between Concor, a large and majority blackowned South African civil engineering company, and Mota-Engil – a major international construction firm.
The bridge will be built near Lusikisiki over the Msikaba gorge. Construction of the nearby Mtentu River bridge started in January 2018 and both form part of the new N2 Wild Coast Road. The first three months on site is the ramp-up period, where the contractor establishes itself on site and starts to engage with SMMEs and labourers.
Concor brings a proven track record in the construction of major roads and bridge projects in South Africa and
Africa, while Mota-Engil has experience in large-scale cable-stayed bridge projects and delivery of major civil engineering projects throughout Africa.
The contract has strict contract participation goals of 4% labour and 30% targeted enterprises. These are set to encourage the utilisation of SMMEs from the OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo district municipal areas, while not excluding SMMEs from the rest of South Africa.
The entire route is expected to be completed in 2023.
PROJECT
INFORMATION TABLE
Msikaba Bridge
Project value:
R2.15bn
Project start:
Feb 2019
Project end:
2023
Xolobeni ruling has no effect on N2WCR
The court ruling in favour of the Xolobeni community against the issuing of mining rights in the area will not have any influence on SANRAL’s N2 Wild Coast Road (N2WCR) project.
SANRAL is working closely with local communities and the Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) to address issues relating to communal land in areas affected by the construction of the road.
"The road will contribute to the economic development of the region and open opportunities for eco-tourism, conservation and the hospitality sector," says Craig McLachlan, SANRAL N2 Wild Coast Road lead project manager.
The project will also give communities that have been marginalised in the past access to essential
government services, such as schools, clinics and pension payout points. It enjoys strong support from the Eastern Cape Province, local and district municipalities, traditional leaders and communities in the region.
SANRAL and the DRDLR obtain community consent to acquire the land required to build any new or realigned road and negotiate with individual land right use holders to acquire communal land assigned to individuals.
Meetings are held with traditional leaders and the affected municipalities to explain the acquisition processes and receive feedback and guidance on how to proceed. Community meetings where resolutions are taken are advertised and agreements are signed relating to compensation for the land that is required for construction.
The value of the land is determined by a professional valuer and compensation is paid into a trust account managed by the community. In cases involving individuals, the contracts make provision for issues relating to buildings that might have been constructed and the possible relocation of graves.
Residents of the Eastern Cape have responded positively to SANRAL’s initiatives and the process of consultation prior to land acquisition.
Lulamile Mapholoba, a resident from the Jama area in the Amadiba Tribal Authority area, located next to the Mtentu River, moved into his house last year.
"I was happy with the process that took place when SANRAL acquired the land. They follow a good process. They have built houses for us and we are very happy with the project," said Mapholoba, a municipal manager at Greater Kokstad local municipality.
BUILDING SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH BETTER ROADS
HELLO EASTERN CAPE 2019