Agency to ensure road network in the province continues to play vital role in economic development in the province.
In its role as a key agency in the delivery of the country’s massive investment in economic infrastructure, the South African National Roads Agency (SOC) Limited (SANRAL) will invest approximately R10-billion in Mpumalanga in the short to medium term budgeting framework (5–10 years).
Mpumalanga is one of South Africa’s major tourist destinations with attractions such as the Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, which is home to over 70 species of wildlife, including three of the big five – buffalo, leopard and white rhino.
There is also an abundance of coal and agricultural produce, which is transported daily via the provincial road network.
At the heart of every productive economy lies strong infrastructure networks. Road infrastructure is one of the most important of these as it provides access to a host of opportunities, including jobs, education and health care facilities.
Progress Hlahla, Regional Manager SANRAL northern region, said: “Roads are crucial for the provincial economy as they are the arteries connecting the economic hubs of the province to each other and to the rest of the country. Roads provide access and enable the wheels of commerce to keep turning by facilitating the transportation of goods from one destination to another.”
Taking SANRAL to the people
Some projects currently under construction in the province include the N11 from Hendrina to Hendrina Power station. This R275 million project is rehabilitating the route by strengthening the existing pavement and introducing new features to make it safer for motorists.
The upgrading of the R573 Moloto Road, which runs through three provinces – Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo – has also started. National Treasury has set aside about R3-billion for the Mpumalanga and Limpopo sections. The allocation will be determined by the scope of work and the engineering interventions required for each province.
The Gauteng section will be funded by the Gauteng provincial government.
Other projects have included: the improvement of the R570 N4 to Jeppes Reef, worth R984-million, to rehabilitate existing pavement layers, upgrade storm-water drainage and construct new climbing lanes to cater for the increasing traffic; and the R404-million rehabilitation of the N11 Middleburg to Loskopdam. Both projects have been completed.
The success of the projects can be attributed to the existing good relations and partnership with the provincial government.
“SANRAL enjoys cordial relationships with the province and municipalities and continues to actively engage with them through platforms such as the ‘Taking SANRAL to the people’ initiative. We continue to partner with the local and provincial spheres of government in the implementation of projects,” said Hlahla.
Several projects are still planned for the province, including:
- N17 from Chrissiemeer to KM 85
- N17 from KM 85 to Oshoek
- R37 from KM 50 to Lydenburg
- R555 from Emalahleni to Middlemen
- N2 from KZN Border to Piet Retief
- N2 from Piet Retief to Ermelo
SANRAL looks forward to partnering with all stakeholders in the delivery of projects in the province and continues to pursue its transformation agenda to ensure the meaningful participation of SMMES in its projects.