Eastern Cape, 3 September 2026: The South African Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to advise all road users and surrounding communities that traffic lanes through the Xuka River Bridge on the R61 between Baziya (Mthatha) and All Saints (Ngcobo) will be restricted to a single 3,5-metre-wide traffic lane.

Traffic will be accommodated under Stop/Go traffic control, and the restriction will not accommodate abnormal-load vehicles.

The traffic lane reduction is necessary to facilitate the construction of the new Xuka River Bridge and the partial demolition of the existing bridge. The existing traffic lanes will be narrowed to a single lane for the duration of the construction works, which are anticipated to continue until September 2027.

Please note that there are no suitable alternative routes within this section. Alternative routes, including the N2, will result in significantly longer travel times than the anticipated waiting period associated with the Stop/Go traffic accommodation

“Motorists are asked to plan their trips accordingly, allow additional travel time and to exercise caution when approaching and passing through the construction area,” said Kayakazi Mafuta, SANRAL Eastern Cape’s Provincial Head.

SANRAL apologises for any inconvenience caused.

-ENDS

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