From blasting to building; contracts to construction; upgrading to connecting, carrying and creating, SANRAL is woven into the very fabric of Mpumalanga

www.sanral.co.za

2017

PRODUCED BY SANRALMPUMALANGA

@sanralza SANRAL Corporate @sanral_za @sanral_za SANRAL

THE CONNECTIONS THAT BIND USSasekani Manzini

ROAD infrastructure plays a critical role in the lives of ordinary South Africans. As a channel to economic and social activities, roads are the economic routes that link producers to markets, children to school, workers to jobs and visitors to new destinations for business and leisure.

It is this purpose that drives our transport infrastructure activities. Our work includes improving the road network, upgrading gravel roads to surfaced roads and conducting ongoing assessments and maintenance of our roads.

We still have much to do to reduce the backlog in road infrastructure. We are actively engaged in activities that promote easy and affordable movement for people, goods and services. This is achieved through an infrastructure that is workable, unified and kind to the environment. These actions support and simplify social empowerment and economic growth.

We therefore welcome SANRAL’s upgrading and ongoing maintenance activities along the 2 478km of national roads in Mpumalanga – particularly Mpumalan-ga’s 54.9km stretch of the R573 Moloto Road.

ROADS FOR THE LAND OF THE RISING SUN

road-building sub-sector is living up to SANRAL’s mandate and the government’s transformation imperatives.

Our presence in the province continues to grow and make a positive impact. We are working on several projects, including the N17 in the Standerton area and the Ermelo Ring Road on the N11.

A notable highlight has been the introduction of electronic tag payment at all toll plazas in Mpum-alanga (and other provinces, with the exception of a few along the N2 coastal belt). The system has allowed for smoother travel on our tolled roads between provinces and to bordering countries.

Our projects are geared towards growing the

provincial and national economies. We believe that road infrastructure is the answer for economic development. It positively impacts industries such as tourism, retail and logistics.

Of course, road safety remains an essential consideration in the engineering of our roads – be it renovating existing roads or building new ones. It is therefore everyone’s responsibility to be road safety ambassadors. I’m certain that Mpumalanga road users will take this responsibility seriously, resulting in safer travel and fewer fatalities for all residents of the province.

Skhumbuzo Macozoma is SANRAL’s CEO

Skhumbuzo Macozoma

ENSURING that our projects have the support and participation of communities is key in our efforts to finance, improve, manage and maintain the national road network.

I take a keen interest in what the affected benefi-ciaries of our road infrastructure have to say. During Minister Joe Maswanganyi’s Moloto Road Imbizo, people who live along the Moloto Road project ex-pressed a view that nothing could happen in their communities without their involvement and approval, to a round of applause. This resonated with me, as I believe that we need to listen to our people; we need to consult better.

Of the projects SANRAL is rolling out in Mpumalanga, the R573 Moloto Road project is the most important. The R573 crosses three provinces: Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, with the Mpumalanga section being the longest stretch. SANRAL is excited to be part of this strategic infrastructure project, which forms part of the Moloto corridor.

In April, SANRAL appointed a Transforma-tion Manager, who will make sure that more black-owned and black-operated service provid-ers are procured by SANRAL at a national level. This position, along with changes to the face, skills base and participation profile of contractors in the

This is making a positive contribution to the province’s economic infrastructure and contributes significantly to the job creation and SMME development potential inherent in all SANRAL projects.

In addition, SANRAL’s inclusive procurement approach, which seeks to ensure that 30% of the value of contracts are awarded to suitably qualified black-, youth- and women-owned enterprises within project areas, bodes well for budding entrepreneurs.

Mpumalanga is readying its small businesses through a social beneficiation programme, which focuses on enterprise development, infrastructure and promoting the local sourcing of materials. A critical part of the programme is skills development, through which we intend to build the skills base of our people so that when new civil works projects are initiated in Mpumalanga, we have a ready, able and skilled workforce with matching business capabilities.

Sasekani Manzini is the Mpumalanga MEC for public works, roads and transport

2 | Building South Africa through better roads

MESSAGES

ROAD infrastructure is one of the most important tools for growing our country’s economy. Roads provide access to a host of opportunities – including jobs, education and healthcare facilities.

From 2015 SANRAL has been renovating section 10 of the N11 – from Middelburg (23.5km) to Loskopdam (53.4km).

The project, valued at R404m, is aimed at improv-ing safety. The scope of work includes the widening of the Kranspoort Pass to accom-modate more traffic – adding two lanes onto each direc-tion. These improvements include the installation of concrete barriers and two ar-restor beds.

According to SANRAL Project Manager Riaan Oer-lemans, this major project requires a lot of expertise and manpower. More than 165 local labourers are employed to do a va-riety of work, most of which does not require any formal qualifications. Training is provided, such as for flag attendants, who help regulate traffic at the construction site.

Jan Niemand, Contracts Manager at Morgado said: “We were brought in to do blasting at the most difficult part of the road, in the mountain pass. Only a few people have the necessary skills for such an enormous and daunting task. We have conducted over 100 blasts since May 2015.”

This was a huge a challenge, because the entire road had to be closed off for two to three days, with no alternative routes. It’s a sign of care and good management that the public was notified of the disruption beforehand.

Morgado is conducting the mountain blasting in

order to create space for constructing additional climbing lanes.

Apart from the blasting, there are several planned activities during construction, like stop-and-go regulations.

A total of 22 SMMEs are contracted on the project as part of SANRAL’s community development ini-

tiative. Contractors are award-ed competency certificates to improve their good standing at the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB).

The project is due to be completed in August 2017. It will provide plenty of op-portunities for the province, since it is an important link to the Loskop Dam Reserve. A major attraction in the region, the reserve is home to more than 70 species of

wildlife – including buffalo, leopard and white rhino.

SANRAL understands the importance of building high-quality roads that help drive economic growth and we continue to invest in the province to ensure an improved quality of life for all who live here.

MOVING MOUNTAINS TO BUILD BETTER ROADS

“We were brought in to do blasting on the most difficult part of the road, in the mountain pass. Only a few people have the

necessary skills for such an enormous and daunting task. We have conducted over 100 blasts since May 2015.”

MIDDELBURG TO LOSKOPDAM BY THE NUMBERS

• Final estimated contract value R404m • Contract commencement date: 2 February 2015

• Contract completion date: 31 August 2017• Local labour content: 165 employed (inclusive of women and youth)

• Imported labour: 61 • A total of 22 subcontractors used (including plant hire)

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ENGINEERING

SMME PARTICIPATION IN THE PROVINCE

THE existing length of SANRAL’s road network in Mpumalanga is 2 478km. Even though it’s in a fair state, the national roads agency has to ensure that the road is well looked after.

This work is allocated through a main contractor to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the province. This is part of SANRAL’s commitment to developing and empowering small business in the regions where it has developments.

According to Madoda Mthembu, the SANRAL Project Manager responsible for routine road maintenance (RRM) in the province, the appointment

CONSTRUCTION TAKES TIME

listed on the SANRAL database was assigned a unique number next to their name. The numbers were placed in a vessel and a volunteer from the crowd conducted a draw in front of everyone.

According to Minister of Transport Joe Maswan-ganyi, this project is one of the identified strategic infrastructure projects (SIPs) aimed at developing the South African economy.

Speaking at a Moloto Road Imbizo held in April at KwaMhlanga Council Chamber, Maswanganyi emphasised the significance of the Moloto corridor, which includes access to the northern mineral belt.

SANRAL is responsible for the construction, rehabilitation and regular maintenance of the R573.

As this is an ongoing project, more labour will be required. That means more job opportunities for local communities and SMMEs in the province.

Job applicants are still welcome and interested parties can register with their local municipalities.

THE Mpumalanga section of the R573 Moloto Road was transferred to SANRAL for upgrading in the last half of 2015.

The project value of the Mpumalanga section of the R573 is an estimated R2.6bn over a five- to seven-year period.

Residents and communities along the road are looking forward to the construction.

The first phase of the project will start with the construction of four roundabouts (traffic circles)

between Moloto and Moteti in the Thembisile Hani and Dr JS Moroka local municipalities. In March 2017, a total of 160 local labourers from over 32 wards were engaged to start work on this part of the project.

All the employed labourers were recruited by SANRAL, together with the Thembisile Hani local municipality, following a system called “Fudua” – a Sotho term that means “stir”.

Fudua works similar to a raffle. Every applicant

of an SMME for a project is based on set requirements.“All SMME contracts for RRM are awarded

based on the company’s Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) grading and currently, our CIDB requirements start at 2CE to 6CE,” he said.

Part of the contractual agreement between SANRAL and the main contractor for a particular project is that they should provide training for local SMMEs, which includes those who may not necessarily be registered with the CIDB. These are classified as in-house SMMEs.

4 | Building South Africa through better roads

PROJECTS

A SECTION of a R650m, two-part project to rehabilitate the R23 has meant increased freedom of movement for all road users. This major route connects Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal and its restoration involves the overall renovation of the road.

This project falls in the Lekwa and Dipaleseng municipalities.

The contract for the safety improvements on the R23 from Standerton to Greylingstad was awarded to Fountain Civil Engineering. The work has already begun and the 36-month contract is expected to be completed by May 2018.

The work includes installation of services and drainage from Km0-Km4, leading out from Standerton, and the construction of new layerworks, lanes, traffic circles and sidewalks in both directions. There will be periods of stop/go restrictions, to allow for the construction of these new works.

Some existing bridges have had to be demolished along the R23 up to Greylingstad. New bridges are being constructed to improve hydraulic capacity and avoid flooding.

The construction of temporary detours around the existing structures has been required, where two-way traffic was operational.

The existing intersection leading into Balfour will be upgraded by a traffic circle, which will allow continuous traffic flow at this intersection.

The road also features enhancements to improve pedestrian safety.

SANRAL Project Manager Riaan Oerlemans said: “There has been a remarkable improvement in the mobility of the vehicles using the road, as well as a decrease in accidents involving both motorists and pedestrians.”

Regular R23 user Siphumelele Zondi is happy about the rehabilitation of this route. “This is a busy road I use from KZN to Johannesburg. It used to be difficult travelling on this road, especially when there is a truck in front of you. Now there are sections where it is safe to overtake big trucks, where the lanes have been extended, making it very convenient,” he said.

ROADS BRING JOBS, TRAINING AND SMALL

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIESTHE Mpumalanga department of public works, roads and transport has a mandate that requires it to provide an integrated transport system, along with infrastructure that promotes socio-economic development. Head of department Kgopana Mohlasedi spoke to us about the work of the department and how SANRAL projects are helping to shape the provincial economy and the lives of residents.

What does the department of public works, roads and transport do?The department is the principal custodian for the provision, management and maintenance of building and road infrastructure in the province. Our work involves providing effective transport management and coordinating the implementation of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) 3 in the province. This calls for us to manage our resources through effective, efficient systems and procedures.

What are the major challenges to economic growth in Mpumalanga?The department is well aware that adequate infrastructure is a major contributor to economic development. While key for meeting the objectives of the department, the lack of acceptable infrastructure remains a challenge. For us, a road is not just a road, but a critical input to socio-economic outcomes, reconciliation and nation building.

How do you grow Mpumalanga?We are the implementing agent of building infrastructure for client departments, so infrastructure rollout is a core part of our mandate. This means that we, as the department, endlessly fine-tune our systems and processes to meet the infrastructure delivery agenda of our client departments.

We derive joy from the opportunities that these projects bring to our communities, in the form of jobs, training and small business development. Infrastructure is worthless if it does not elevate the economic status and wellbeing of the people. These projects must be centred on human capital development. Through them, a child who did not have a school uniform because of affordability now has one. Others may be sent to university to acquire education, thereby cutting the cycle of poverty. It is this positive ripple effect that is at the centre of what we do.

How do you feel about the existing roads in Mpumalanga?Strides have been made towards bringing the standards of roads in our province up to a par with rest of the country. But much still needs to be done to reduce the infrastructure backlog as far as road construction is concerned.

The work under way in the province, including the R573 Moloto Road and N17 upgrades, has brought about much-needed relief.

There is still a network of 13 000km of roads and some of these need upgrades, so that our smaller communities can enjoy the safe travel enjoyed by urban centres. Some communities have never experienced the benefits of a decent road where they live. Once these roads are improved, many people will have an improved quality of life.

R23 REHABILITATIONS FOCUS ON SAFETY Kgopana

Mohlasedi

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PROJECTS

WHEN YOU COME ACROSS AN INCIDENT CALLPOLICE 10111AMBULANCE & FIRE 10177EMERGENCY 112

What information should I give the emergency services control room?

• Location of the incident• Identify the nearest landmarks• Nature of the incident• Objects involved• Injuries / entrapments• Traffic obstructions• Weather conditions• If suspected chemicals are involved

TRAC KEEPS N4 TOLL ROUTE ON PAR WITH WORLD STANDARDS

REPORTING AN INCIDENT ON THE ROAD TO IDENTIFY THE LOCATION OF AN INCIDENT THE FOLLOWING LANDMARKS CAN ASSIST

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TO ENSURE a road like the TRAC N4 Toll Route complies with world standards, regular upgrading, rehabilitation and maintenance are necessary. Although this may at times be inconvenient to road users, the long-term benefits outweigh the short-term traffic disruptions, as such road improvements result in a safer, easier-to-use highway.

Expansion and rehabilitation work between the Clewer and OR Tambo Interchanges commenced in April 2017 and will see a portion of this section of the highway expanded to a six-lane facility. Road works will be conducted in the median for the expansion works on the N4 section 3 between km19 and km31. The upgrade will also require the widening of eight bridges.

This R290m project will also include pavement rehabilitation, as well as ancillary works such as guardrails and drainage upgrades. However, despite the extensive road works, traffic is not expected to be severely disrupted, as two lanes, with deviations, will be operational throughout the upgrade.

Another section of the TRAC N4 toll road under construction is the section between Malaga Hotel and Montrose intersection in Elandsvalley. This project, which also started in April 2017, primarily consists of adding 5km of passing lanes. Extensive rehabilitation of 23km of pavement will be carried out, as well as the widening of culverts and bridges and ancillary works. Due to the topography in this section, permanent stop-and-gos will be operational throughout the 18-month-long project, with an average of 30 minutes delay expected.

TRAC’s extensive upgrades on the Mozambican side of the N4 toll road are also ongoing. The scope of work, between Ressano Garcia and Moamba not only includes the rehabilitation of the road, but also of six bridges, including the Moamba interchange. Two permanent stop-and-gos are currently in effect in this section and delays of approximately 15 minutes can be expected.

The much-anticipated upgrade of the N4 in Maputo, also referred to as MDC sections 19 and 20, got underway in May 2017 and will include comprehensive road works between the Shoprite Centre Intersection in Matola and the 16 of June Circle in Maputo. The extensive project will include the construction of two additional lanes (one in each direction), which in turn will result in a six-lane carriageway in this section – the busiest on our 570km trans-border route.

The rehabilitation of the pavement and the widening of seven structures will also form part of the construction works, which are estimated to take approximately 20 months to conclude. Although there will be no lane closures, lane deviations and partial closure of intersections will require speed restrictions as part of the safety measures. This, in turn, may affect traffic flow, especially during peak times.

The BIC Intersection is currently partially closed to accommodate Phase 1 of the project. The closure has resulted in the following traffic flow limitations:a) Road users coming from the direction of Cinema 700 or from

the old Matola road are unable to cross the N4.b) Road users travelling westbound (from Maputo/Shoprite) are

unable to turn right.

6 | Building South Africa through better roads

PROJECTS

Convenience in a hurry

Alta Harvey, who we caught just in time, was in a rush on her way to her next destination.“I’m in a hurry, but this is very convenient,”

she said just before she dashed off.

SANRAL recently held an activation at the N4 Alzu Petroport towards Mpumalanga as a means to promote automated electronic toll payment. All toll plazas in Mpumalanga now offer the tag payment method. Here’s what road users had to say about the automated payment system…

Tag for personal and business travel

Lebo Khobeli, travelling from Nelspruit to Secunda, said she usually travels along the N4 to

Middelburg every week for meetings.

“I have my own tag and we also have for our company vehicles.

“I was just worried that at Machado and Middleburg, there was no automated toll

payment. I always use this road, so I am happy that it has been set up.”

EVERYDAY travel made easy

Khanyisa Mchavi, a student on her way home to Lydenburg for the

weekend, shared her views: “I appreciate the N4 and the

automatic payment because I use the N4 every day.”

No more queues

Phumla Mokoena resides in Nelspuit and was on her way home from work in

Witbank. As she’s always on the road she was keen to admit:

“It’s actually going to save me more time. It’s quite an advantage, unlike queueing

up when you have to pay at the toll gates. It’s a lifesaver.”

ROAD USERS ‘JUMP THE Q’

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COMMUNITY VOICES

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSWhat is the state of SANRAL’s road network in Mpumalanga?The 2 478km of SANRAL roads in Mpumalanga are fair to good.

What is the preventative maintenance plan to ensure SANRAL roads in Mpumalanga reach international norms?SANRAL focuses on the effective maintenance of its roads through ongoing routine road maintenance contracts. These contracts generally run for three years, with an option for a two-year extension, depending on the performance of the maintenance contractor and supervision team. Presently, SANRAL has eight routine road maintenance contracts for all its roads in Mpumalanga.

Overload control is important for preventing the premature deterioration of our roads. On the N4 Maputo Development Corridor, for instance, SANRAL has six traffic control centres with 11 laybys for overload control. Some 60 000 trucks are weighed on these every month and this has been effective in controlling overloading in the corridor and adjoining roads.

What is SANRAL working on in Mpumalanga? Besides the upgrades undertaken by Trans African Concessions (TRAC) on the N4, SANRAL is at work on a number of projects in the province: 1. Middelburg to Loskopdam (section 10 of N11)2. R573 Moloto Road3. R23 from Standerton to Greylingstad4. R570 from the N4 to Jeppes Reef5. R23 Volksrust to Km30 (section 1 of the R23)6. R23 safety improvements at Standerton7. Resurfacing of Roads D797, D2948, D2683 and D1120

What new projects is SANRAL spearheading in Mpumalanga?Apart from the ongoing projects above, SANRAL is planning the following new ones:1. Six projects to improve the N2, from the KZN/Mpum-

alanga border to Ermelo2. Improvement of the N11, between the Hendrina pow-

er station and the N4 at Middelburg3. Two projects to strengthen the N17 from

Chrissiesmeer to Oshoek4. Repairing of the R37 at Lydenburg5. Dualling sections of the R40 between Hazyview and

Buschbuckridge6. Constructing ring roads on the N11 at Ermelo and

Middelburg, as well as on the R40 at Bushbuckridge

How has the N4 Maputo development corridor helped unlock the economic potential of the region?The corridor has provided the necessary road connection between Pretoria, greater Johannesburg (Witwatersrand) and the Vaal Triangle (Vereeniging) and the Maputo harbour, through the middle of Mpumalanga. This

enables the efficient transportation of goods, coal and produce. It also provides a good connection to Mpumalanga’s tourist attractions. Importantly, the development of the N4 stimulated the creation of opportunities for contractors, SMMEs and local labour, as well as other related businesses through downstream activities.

Why is the R573 Moloto Road upgrade important?The Moloto Road is an economic route connecting the Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng provinces. It serves 50 000 commuters daily. This road is notorious for its high fatality rate. Upgrades will have a positive impact on the lives of many people and will reduce travel time and fatalities. The construction of the road will also create employment and opportunities for the development of small contractors, suppliers and other businesses.

How is SANRAL contributing to local job creation?Suitably qualified emerging enterprises are given an opportunity to perform some of the work awarded to main contractors. As per the government’s policy for SMME development, main contractors are required to subcontract 20% of the contract value to SMMEs of CIDB grading 1-6. In certain cases, main contractors enter into joint ventures, with an 80/20 split between a 9CE main contractor as the lead partner and lower grading contractors (5CE, 6CE or 7CE) as the JV targeted partner.

During the 2016/17 financial year, 155 small contrac-tors were appointed for routine road maintenance and road incident management in Mpumalanga. 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 there will be training provided to all the people recruited for projects.

What do better roads in Mpumalanga mean for our economy? Road infrastructure plays an important role in the national economy. For example, coal haulage to the power stations in Mpumalanga is extremely important for the national electricity supply. In addition, Mpumalanga has much to offer tourists. It is vital to have good roads to enable easy access to tourist attractions. Roads are also a conduit to export markets. The 60 000 trucks weighed on the Maputo development corridor per month relate to more than 2 mil-lion tons of freight transported in the corridor alone.

How do I bring road conditions to SANRAL’s attention?All SANRAL-managed roads have road signs that display contact numbers, on which road conditions on that road can be reported. Otherwise SANRAL’s Northern Region Office can be contacted during office hours on 012-426-6200.

Questions answered by SANRAL’s Acting Northern Region Manager Willem van der Merwe

8 | Building South Africa through better roads