Transport News
Much pricier Mtentu Bridge construction restarts five years after Aveng walkout
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has announced the restart of building work on the R4.05-billion Mtentu Bridge agreement, in the Eastern Cape. The Aveng Strabag joint venture (JV), accountable for constructing the then R1.6-billion structure, walked out on the project in early 2019, following months of violent community demonstrations.
Govt, business partner to resolve South Africa’s logistics crisis Govt, business partner to resolve South Africa’s logistics crisis
Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the National Logistics Crisis Committee and why it was established; the involvement of organization in the committee; how the committee will approach its work; and how the impact of organization will be managed where conflicts of interest may emerge.
Construction starts on project to upgrade two sections of the N2
Construction works to upgrade the N2 section from KwaBhaca to the Ngcweleni river have begun, the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) reports. The project will include rehabilitation of the existing carriageway pavement structure for Sections 19 and 20 of the N2 and widening of the existing road cross section for the introduction of climbing lanes.
Some Rivonia road lanes to be closed for Rea Vaya station construction
The southbound lanes on Rivonia roadway, in Sandton, will be decreased to two lanes from Monday, August 7, for three months to accommodate the bus quick transit (BRT) road widening project. At a later phase, the middle lanes in both directions will be closed for seven months to facilitate the execution of the BRT stations.
MTN, JRA partner to alleviate loadshedding traffic delays
JSE-listed MTN and the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) have partnered to ensure traffic lights near the telecommunications group’s base stations are operational during loadshedding. MTN is now engaging other metropolitans to offer the solution, which includes leveraging its backup power systems at its base stations to supply power to the traffic lights during loadshedding, for other parts of Gauteng and the rest of the country.
Global demand for coal is bringing mayhem to South African towns
An often impenetrable logjam of trucks laden with coal at South Africa’s crossing with Mozambique has brought turmoil to a drowsy border town. Elephants leaving from the nearby Kruger National Park frequently caused the biggest turmoil in Komatipoort. Nowadays locals examine their CCTV cameras on their phones at barbecues on the weekend. The blockage created opportunities for crooks who saw motorists stranded in the queue for days on end as simple targets after nightfall. Break-ins, theft and assaults spread from the highway to the town. Road mishaps increased.
Cape Town approves seven-year road contracts
Cape Town’s Urban Mobility Directorate has received the green light from the city council to enter into long-term road contracts, spanning seven financial years, to facilitate the “uninterrupted and regular maintenance and rehabilitation of approximately 10 400 km of roads under the city’s management”. “I am elated that council approved our request to enter into contracts with six companies for a period of seven financial years,” says Urban Mobility MMC Rob Quintas.
Transport dept ready to deal with potholes as Minister launches Vala Zonke War Room
Transport Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga on July 31 participated in the main launch of the Vala Zonke War Room, which will keep an eye on and manage all hole repair work in the country from the State-owned South African National Roads Agency Limited’s (Sanral’s) Central Operations Centre (COC), in Centurion. The new war space facility, situated at the Sanral COC, will have a dedicated team from numerous clusters to collaborate federal government’s continuous efforts in repairing pits, as well as to keep track of service shipment in the transportation industry.
Pylon-spire construction advancing steadily at the Msikaba bridge project
The pylon spires of South Africa’s Msikaba Bridge megaproject are soon to tower almost 130 m high at each side of the 197-m-deep Msikaba river canyon. The bridge forms part of the South African National Roads Agency’s N2 Wild Coast project, and is being constructed by the CME joint endeavor– a collaboration in between black-owned South African building and construction business Concor and Mecsa.
JRA appoints new acting CEO
The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has actually appointed Goodwill Nyathi as its acting CEO, with instant result. JRA chairperson Charles Cilliers thanked the outbound acting CEO Louis Nel for his efforts and the manner in which he performed himself for almost 8 months while leading the JRA under hard conditions.