WHAT IS THE STATE OF SANRAL’S ROAD NETWORK IN THE GAUTENG PROVINCE?
The national road network in Gauteng is in a fairly good condition. The N1, N3, N12 and R21 were improved as part of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP). Most of the interchanges that were improved as part of GFIP are still within capacity limits.
WHAT’S SANRAL’S PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE PLAN TO ENSURE ITS ROADS REMAIN WITHIN INTERNATIONAL NORMS?
SANRAL focuses on the effective maintenance of its roads through ongoing routine road maintenance contracts as well as overload control.
Currently, SANRAL has five routine road maintenance and three freeway lighting contracts for all its roads in Gauteng.
Overload control is important for preventing premature deterioration of the roads. On the N3 in Heidelberg and the N4 in Donkerhoek, effective overload control in the corridor is being carried out.
WHAT’S NEW FOR SANRAL IN GAUTENG?
SANRAL is working on periodic maintenance (repair and reseal) on the freeways as part of the agency’s asset-preservation strategy.
The following sections of the freeways that were not part of GFIP have a number of projects in the design and construction stages:
WHAT PROJECTS ARE IN SANRAL’S PIPELINE IN THE MEDIUM-TO-LONG TERM IN GAUTENG?
Periodic maintenance on some sections of the GFIP network is planned to begin in 2020. This is also part of SANRAL’s asset-preservation strategy. The projects will be on the following sections:
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN, IMPROVE AND STRENGTHEN STRATEGIC ROUTES?
SANRAL’s asset-preservation and maintenance strategies enable the agency to optimise the use of resources. Projects are selected from SANRAL’s wellestablished and documented pavement management system, which is used to optimise actions with available funding and ensure that roads remain at an adequate level of service.
Improved roads reduce traffic congestion, which leads to a reduction of travel time and fatalities, and improved productivity, thus improving quality of life for many people in the province.
HOW IS SANRAL MAKING A CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS SMME DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL JOB CREATION IN GAUTENG?
Suitably qualified emerging enterprises are given an opportunity to perform some of the work awarded to main contractors. As per government’s policy for SMME development, main contractors are required to subcontract a minimum of 30% of the contract value to SMMEs of CIDB grading 1 to 6.
As a result of government’s preferential procurement regulations, which came into effect on 1 April 2017, contracts above R30m will require a minimum of 30% of the value of the contract to be subcontracted to SMMEs. SANRAL has adjusted its procurement model to comply with these regulations. In future, smaller contractors will benefit from SANRAL’s projects through subcontracting.
In terms of job creation, main contractors are required to allocate 6% of the value of work to the employment of local labour. Importantly, part of the contract between SANRAL and main contractors is that training will be provided to all the people recruited for the projects.
SANRAL has structured its routine road maintenance projects in such a way that the use of local labour and subcontractors is maximised.
HOW IMPORTANT ARE ROADS TO THEGAUTENG ECONOMY?
Gauteng is the economic hub of South Africa. Improved roads lead to time saving, which contributes to the growth of the economy, benefitting both the province and the country. A well-functioning road network supports all other sectors of the economy.
HOW DO I BRING ROAD CONDITIONS TO SANRAL’S ATTENTION?
All SANRAL-managed roads have road signs that display contact numbers where road conditions on the specific road can be reported.
Otherwise, SANRAL’s Northern Region Office can be contacted during office hours on 012-426- 6200.
BUILDING SOUTH AFRICA THROUGH BETTER ROADS
HELLO GUATENG 2019