SANRAL promotes responsible road user behaviour and road infrastructure development

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL’s) has urged all road users to exercise extreme caution ahead of and during the Easter holidays. SANRAL’s head of stakeholder relations, Siphiwo Mxhosa, says South African road users, including motorists and pedestrians, can save lives by practising responsible behaviour.

“SANRAL urges all South African road users to help save lives by complying with the basic rules of the road. Motorists must not drink and drive, nor should they use cell phones whilst driving. We still find that many people text whilst driving; this is not only illegal but illogical because you will cause an accident when you take your eyes off the road and don’t have both your hands on the steering wheel. Pedestrians can also prevent accidents by using only safe crossings. We can all save lives by doing such basics and respecting the rules of the road,” said Mr Mxhosa.

SANRAL participated in a drive to promote responsible road user behaviour ahead of the Easter holidays and to showcase road infrastructure development during the SUV Challenge – Eastern Cape Tour, which ended at Baviaanskloof on Saturday. The SUV Challenge is a public-private partnership incorporating a host of private sector entities partnering with state entities such as Brand South Africa and SANRAL, as well as various municipalities.  

The SUV Challenge provided SANRAL with a platform to engage a broad range of stakeholders participating in the event, collaborating on areas of mutual interest on infrastructure development and, through the WHOA Activation at the proposed Kokstad Interchange, encouraged responsible road user behaviour.

“SANRAL encourages responsible road user behaviour and as participants in the SUV Challenge we shared this message with stakeholders in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Part of the SUV Challenge was to participate in a heritage tour, putting on display for participants the region’s attractions and thereby promoting tourism, whilst also showcasing SANRAL’s world-class infrastructure. We also shared information on SANRAL’s scholarship and bursary programmes,” said Mr Mxhosa.

Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL’s Southern Region Manager, said the roads agency was focussed on ensuring that the road network in the Eastern Cape promoted economic development in support of government’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Programme in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The infrastructure development programmes emphasised by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his recent State of the Nation Address, as well as in the Budget Speech of Finance Minister Tito Mboweni, makes it clear that the road network is critically important to economic growth. In addition to promoting regional economic growth and job creation, SANRAL’s mandate extends beyond the design and construction of safer roads. Our Horizon 2030 Strategy also stresses road safety as a national priority and ensures our role in road safety education and awareness,” said Peterson.

The SUV Challenge – Eastern Cape Tour is a social initiative that was launched in 2018 by the Honourable Premier Oscar Mabuyane, then the MEC for Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

The SUV Challenge – Eastern Cape Tour started with a WHOA Activation at the Kokstad Interchange on Wednesday, 03 March.  WHOA, which is a SANRAL campaign to communicate road safety messages to the public was launched in Kokstad ahead of the Easter holidays.

Included in the heritage tour was a visit to Mbongweni, the birthplace of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. SANRAL will construct a 32km access road to Mbongweni from the R61 near Bizana, in Mbizana Local Municipality within the Alfred Nzo District.

SANRAL also shared messages of responsible road user behaviour and scholarship and bursary information with residents at Nkantolo, the home of the late Oliver Tambo, as well as Mqhekezweni Great Place, home of the late President Nelson Mandela.

Traffic Advisory | Blasting on the R63 between Fort Beaufort and Alice

The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) would like to notify travelers that blasting is scheduled to take place between Fort Beaufort and Alice on Thursday, 18 February.

It is estimated the blast will take place between 14:00 and 17:00, approximately 4 km from Fort Beaufort when travelling towards Alice.

The road will be closed during the blast. The duration of the closure will be kept to as short duration as possible.

Motorists travelling southwards towards Alice and King Williams Town may consider using the following alternative routes:

  • From Queenstown follow the N6 to Cathcart, turn right on the R345 to Alice or continue on the N6 to Stutterheim and on exiting the town turn right onto R346 to King Williams Town.
  • From N10 junction with the R63 towards Fort Beaufort on R63, follow the R67 from Fort Beaufort to Grahamstown to join the N2 to King Williams Town.
  • From Whittlesea follow the R67 towards Seymour then turn left onto the R351 towards Cathcart on the N6 then turn right and continue on the N6 to Stutterheim, then turn right onto the R346 to King Williams Town.

Motorists travelling northwards towards Queenstown and westwards towards N10 and/or Whittlesea may consider using of the following alternative routes:

  • From King Williams Town to Queenstown follow the R346 to Stutterheim, turn left on the N6 to Queenstown.
  • From Alice to Queenstown follow the R345 to Cathcart and turn left onto N6 to Queenstown.
  • From King Williams Town towards N10 follow the N2 towards Grahamstown, turn right on the R67 to Fort Beaufort then turn left onto R63 towards the N10.
  • From King Williams Town towards Whittlesea follow the R346 to Stutterheim, turn left onto the N6 to Cathcart. Before entering Cathcart turn left onto R351 to Whittlesea. On reaching the R67 then turn right to Whittlesea.

“Motorists are asked to plan their trips, accordingly, consider alternative routes and to use caution when making use of the roads,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region’s Manager.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Stop and go sections between Tarkastad and Cradock

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) would like remind motorists of ongoing roadworks on the R61 section 3 between Tarkastad and Cradock. There are  three stop-and-go sections on this road until February.

The three stop-and-go sections are on a 21km stretch of road, closer to Tarkastad.

Motorists are advised to use caution when making use of the road and to plan their trips accordingly.

Suspension of road-works on the Standford Road Pedestrian Bridge and the N2, Port Elizabeth

Suspension of road-works on the Standford Road Pedestrian Bridge and the N2, Port Elizabeth

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) would like to notify travellers about the suspension of road-works on the                     Standford Road pedestrian bridge and the N2, from Friday, 20th December 2019 until Sunday 5th January 2020.

Traffic accommodation measures will continue along the N2 north and south-bound, as well as on Standford Road north-bound during the holiday period.  It is important for the public to adhere to the road-signs in place.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS DURING THE SHUTDOWN PERIOD

  • Chris Lewis (Construction Manager) 081 788 8415

SANRAL apologizes for any inconvenience caused.     

Suspension of road-works on the Standford Road Pedestrian Bridge and the N2, Port Elizabeth

TRAFFIC ADVISORY |Roadworks on the R75 between Port Elizabeth and Despatch

Eastern Cape, 25 November 2019: The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) would like to notify travellers that roadworks is scheduled to take place on the R75 between Port Elizabeth and Despatch from Monday, 25 November 2019 to Friday, 29 November 2019.

The planned traffic accommodation is as follows:

  • The right lane between Spondo Road and Johnson Road will be closed for 100m during the day and reopened during peak hours when travelling from Port Elizabeth towards Despatch.
  • The left lane between Johnson Road and Chelsea Road will be closed for 100m during the day and reopened during peak hours when travelling from Port Elizabeth towards Despatch.
  • The left lane after Mission Road Arterial will be closed for 100m during the day and reopened during peak hours when travelling from Port Elizabeth towards Despatch.
  • The left lane between Chelsea Road and Johnson Road will be closed for 200m during the day and reopened during peak hours when travelling from Despatch towards Port Elizabeth.
  • The left lane between Johnson Road and Spondo Road will be closed for 100m during the day and reopened during peak hours when travelling from Port Elizabeth towards Despatch.
  • Roadworks are expected to take place at the following intersections: The R75 and  Dyke Road, the R75 and St. Leonards Road, the R75 and Spondo Road, the R75 and Johnson Road, the R75 and Chelsea Road and the R75 and Ralo Road.

 “Motorists are asked to plan their trips accordingly, consider alternative routes and to use caution when making use of the road,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region’s Manager.

SANRAL apologizes for any inconvenience caused.    

– Ends –

Issued by SANRAL.  For editorial content or additional information contact:  pressoffice@nra.co.za

Suspension of road-works on the Standford Road Pedestrian Bridge and the N2, Port Elizabeth

Traffic Advisory |Update on the Standford Road Bridge

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) would like to notify travellers that roadworks is still in progress on the Standford Road bridge / N2 intersection.

Please note that there will be carriage-way closures taking place on the N2 and Standford Road intersection, on the dates indicated below:

  1. Wednesday 13 November to remove existing bridge beams
  2. Thursday 14 November to remove existing bridge beams
  3. Thursday 21 November to install new bridge beams
  4. Friday 22 November to install new bridge beams
  5. Monday 25 November Remedial works
  6. Tuesday 26 November Remedial works
  7. Wednesday 27 November Remedial works

Closures will be from 7pm in the evenings until 5am in the mornings.  

The planned traffic accommodation is as follows:

  • Traffic will be diverted onto the Standford Road bridge and back onto the N2 via off-ramps.

Please proceed with caution when making use of the road and be aware of speed reduction signage and workers on the road.

SANRAL apologizes for any inconvenience caused.