Upgrades to the N2 between Grahamstown and the Fish River Pass are progressing well as the second phase of the R980 million road infrastructure upgrade project continues, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) announced this week.
The six to seven-year project, which has been divided into three phases, is part of a long-term strategy to improve the quality of the roads between Port Elizabeth and King Williams Town.
“This upgrade includes various geometric improvements over a mountainous terrain. It will improve safety and offer safe overtaking opportunities. Once completed, the new road will also ensure travel-time savings for vehicle operators,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region Manager.
The first phase of the project which was valued at R980-million commenced in April 2015 and was completed in May 2017.
“During this phase, an environmental study of the Oldenburgia Grandis – a plant endemic to the Eastern Cape and which grows on quartzite outcrops near and around Grahamstown – was also conducted. In collaboration with Rhodes University, SANRAL funded a botanical research study and transplant programme for the Oldenburgia Grandis affected by the upgrade,” Peterson said.
The first phase works also uncovered important fossil deposits dating back some 350 million years. These fossils will contribute to scientific research for years to come.
The second phase of the upgrade project began in June and expected to be complete years in mid-2019. This phase, valued at R283 million, is located within the boundaries of the Makana Local Municipality, in the Sarah Baartman District.
Work currently underway on this section of the upgrade includes the establishment of a hard rock quarry, crushing facilities for materials, mass earthworks, the construction of new pavement layers, resurfacing of the road surface, and the construction of three agricultural underpasses.
“The impact of stray animals on the safety of road users in this area is a major cause of concern,” Peterson said, “The construction of three agricultural underpasses, which will allow for the safe movement of animals from one side of the N2 to the other, is therefore an important part of this phase of the project. These agricultural underpasses should help to facilitate road safety and reduce animal related road accidents along this stretch of the N2.”
The entire project will provide employment to 360 workers, with SANRAL setting a 27% SMME participation goal for phase 2 of the project. The goal will increase for phase 3. This means that approximately 120 micro, small, and medium Enterprises (SMMEs) will have an opportunity to work on the project over a period of seven years.
“The legislated requirement is for the main contractor to outsource approximately one third of the project to emergent small road construction firms,” Peterson said. “There were 22 SMMEs who worked on the first phase of the project and this will increase on Phase two. A non-motorised transport facility, the bypass at the fish River Pass and rehabilitation work on the adjacent R67 are examples of specific works which are being carried out by SMMEs.”
The road agency noted that increase in traffic, particularly of heavy vehicles, over the past 10 years, had prompted the need for the N2 upgrade. Moreover, the existing road, which was built in the 1960s, did not meet the road agency’s desired alignment and safety standards.
“The project will improve and prepare the N2 to support increasing volumes of motorists on this national road over the next 25 years,” Peterson said, “and will also improve safety and travel time on the national road network that provides the economic link between Port Elizabeth and East London, and which also serves as the west-east link between the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.”
