The South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited continues to put the safety of all road users into consideration during construction on the N2.

In an effort to improve the safety of pedestrians along a section of the busy N2 south, SANRAL has constructed proper walkways and bus bays.

Developing locals

Gavin Harrison, SANRAL Eastern Region Project Manager, said the construction of pedestrian facilities was designed to cater for the substantial pedestrian traffic using a section of the N2 south to commute between residential areas and places of employment and schools in the area.

He said: “Part of our community development initiatives are the provision of pedestrian facilities and safe access points for communities living next to the national road network. Such projects include the upgrading of access roads that link to a national road, the upgrading of existing gravel service roads to surfaced roads and the construction of pedestrian walkways.

“Apart from the social development that these projects facilitate, SMMEs undertake the construction of the community access roads.”

Harrison said the construction of the sidewalks for pedestrians between Oribi Toll Plaza and Albersville Bridge on the N2 south completes the section between the Oribi Toll Plaza and the existing pedestrian sidewalk (constructed two years ago).

This project also included the construction of two taxi/bus bays and strategically placed reinforced-concrete stairways. These stairways provide a safe link between the sidewalk facilities and the existing access points.

Three SMMEs were appointed to carry out works involving road marking, signage, hand railings, concrete works and erosion protection works, at a cost of R3.4-million.

Local labour was used a total of 21 women and 42 men. This is in keeping with SANRAL’s commitment to support efforts by government to curb poverty and improve the lives of South African citizens in general, by promoting community development.