ROADWORKS NEWS - The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has awarded 36 tenders worth R4,2-billion in the Western Region (Western Cape and Northern Cape) since the start of the 2024/25 financial year, with 12 tenders worth approximately R2-billion currently being evaluated.

Randall Cable, regional manager for the Western region, said this aggressive drive to put out work into the market, speaks to Sanral’s commitment to economic recovery.

“The Sanral footprint is growing and a continuous pipeline of projects both to maintain and develop our national road network is key to stimulate economy growth and the creation of job opportunities,” said Cable.

He said Sanral has made tremendous progress on its periodic maintenance programmes in the Western and Northern Cape, with several resurfacing projects recently completed or in the final stages of completion.

N2 Garden Route - The R160-million dualling of the Thembalethu Bridge over the N2 in George was recently completed. This was a jointly funded project with the George Municipality. Major upgrades and improvements of the N2 from Kraaibosch to Touw River in Wilderness, are currently under construction with more works planned in Phase 2 between Touw River and Die Vleie. The combined estimated value of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the N2 Wilderness upgrades is more than R1,5 billion. The construction work at the Beacon Way Intersection on the N2 in Plettenberg Bay which started in April, comes to R100-million. Then there is also the R230-million reseal project, part of the periodic maintenance on the N2 between Dekriet and Mossel Bay. 

Graphic: Sanral

Other projects in the Western and Northern Cape

N2 Cape Town upgrade – A portion of the N2 between Swartklip Interchange and Baden Powell Interchange, approximately 12km in length, adjacent to Khayelitsha and Mfuleni in the City of Cape Town, is currently under design. It includes going from four lanes to six, four interchange upgrades and pedestrian safety infrastructure. A 6km portion needs to be raised due to increased water levels. Pedestrian and public transport facilities within the N2 road reserve will also be formalised, including new street lighting. The project cost estimate is R2-billion, and the construction tender is to be advertised this November.

N1, Old Oak to Koelenhof –N1 improvements for approximately 13 km, between Old Oak and Koelenhof interchanges, with an estimated cost of more than R3-billion. The project entails upgrading from four lanes to six, five major interchange upgrades and pedestrian safety infrastructure, including street lighting over the entire length. Sanral is in final preparations to go to market for this project.

N7 upgrade – Work on the upgrades to the N7 in the Western Region is ongoing and has already seen more than R3,5 billion invested into the economy, with more than 40km of dual carriageway freeway and eight interchanges constructed, the last of which was completed in 2020. Nearly R1-billion was spent on targeted enterprises over the last 10 years. The current R600-million upgrades between Malmesbury and Moorreesburg is due for completion in early 2025. There are other periodic contracts on the go and more recently awarded.

Huguenot Tunnel – The tunnel has been operating for more than 36 years, allowing more than 112 million vehicles to pass through. Extensive improvements have been made to the existing tunnel (South Bore) in the last 24 months, which include upgrades to the tunnel lighting, ventilation and fire detection systems. The upgrade of the second tunnel (North Bore) is overdue and the final detailed design has recently been completed. Sanral is preparing to go to market shortly on this five-year construction contract. The project will cost approximately R4-billion.

N9 Colesberg to Northern Cape/Eastern Cape border – The resurfacing of the N9 was recently completed to the tune of R200-million, of which approximately R60-million was spent on targeted enterprises. Further resurfacing along the N9 is still under construction. Sanral had also completed a community development project in Noupoort creating work for at least 100 people. Thirteen work packages were created for subcontracting - all from Noupoort. The work was completed at a cost of R16-million, with R4,8-million spent on labour.

N8 Kimberley to Campbell - The 100km resurfacing of the N8 between Kimberley and Campbell was recently completed at a cost of R160-million. Of that, approximately R66-million was spent on subcontractors. Sanral is currently undertaking work from Campbell to Groblershoop, which is in various stages of design and construction.

Transformation

“Sanral remains committed to using its procurement power not only to improve the road infrastructure across the Western and Northern Cape but also to ensure genuine transformation where smaller black-owned businesses will have the opportunity to participate meaningfully in the economy,” said Cable.

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