Transport News
JDA completes portion of Modderfontein bridge project
The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) has completed the southern section of the Modderfontein bridge project following an extensive period of rehabilitation and modernisation. The upstream gabion works installed on the south bridge single cell have been extended and are now open and in use, relieving some of the past congestion from when the project started.
SATMC launches tyre safety programme to boost road safety
Industry body the South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) hosted a launch event for its tyre security program on September 1, in Pretoria. The occasion involved the SATMC inviting stakeholders– consisting of original-equipment producers, automobile dealerships, members of government, nationwide traffic police, and others– to go over, emphasise the value and demonstrate of tire safety in preventing road accidents in South Africa.
Transport Minister opens Sanral Vala Zonke pothole War Room Transport Minister opens SANRAL Vala Zonke pothole War Room
The National Department of Transport in July released the Vala Zonke War Room which will monitor and handle all hole repairs in the nation at the South African National Roads Agency’s Central Operations Centre in Centurion. Cameron Mackay has the story.
Taxis critical in transport system, but rail has to be the backbone – Cape Town
The recent minibus taxi strike in Cape Town cost the Western Cape economy an estimated R5-billion, while it also caused at least R18-million in damages in the City of Cape Town, this according to the provincial government. The strike by the South African National Taxi Council started on August 3, and ended on August 10. Five people were killed during the strike, and 120 arrested for looting and damage to property.
Draft Freight Logistics Roadmap promised by year-end
A new ‘Freight Logistics Roadmap’ is currently going through an internal government consultative procedure for publication before completion of the year, the most recent Operation Vulindlela development upgrade validates. “The roadmap will include propositions to solve the immediate functional difficulties while establishing interventions to basically reorganize the logistics sector to support inclusive economic development,” the upgrade states.
State slammed for ‘dereliction of Constitutional duty’ over failure to protect Intercape buses
The Makhanda High Court has slammed the South African government for the “dereliction of its Constitutional duties” in quelling the violence directed at long-distance coach company Intercape. “It boggles the mind why it is so difficult for a law enforcement agent to appreciate that when armed assailants take potshots at moving buses, deleterious consequences inevitably ensue, and sooner than later people will suffer serious injuries and, heaven forbid, may lose their lives,” Judge John Smith said in a judgment on August 22.
NBCRFLI parties agree to extend main collective agreement for another year
The Road Freight and Logistics Industry Bargaining Council (NBCRFLI) parties have actually accepted extend the primary cumulative agreement for another year, beginning with March 1, 2024, until February 28, 2025. The celebrations involved are the Road Freight Association (RFA), the National Employers’ Association of South Africa (Neasa), the South African Transport and Allied Workers’ Union (Satawu) and the Motor Transport Workers’ Union of South Africa (MTWU).
Completion of Sanral’s R104m triple bridge project in Limpopo to improve local travel
Three bridges constructed by the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) for an overall of R104-million are anticipated to allow neighborhoods around Vaalwater, in Limpopo, to take a trip much shorter ranges to go to school and go to families, while regional businesses will now be able to minimize fuel when moving items. Taxi and bus commuters will likewise reach their locations quicker. The finished construction of the 3 bridges on the R33 road will connect Vaalwater with the town of Lephalale.
Transnet CEO fears major job losses in trucking industry after road demand fades
South Africa’s surge in trucking that’s emerged largely due to higher coal rates and train bottlenecks might lead to devastating job losses in the roadway transportation sector when elements ease, according to the head of the state-owned port and rail company. The logistic problems dealt with by Transnet SOC Ltd.– from locomotive lacks to vandalism– have forced miners to pick the more costly option of trucking commodities to the coast to benefit from higher rates.
Gauteng dept adds faulty traffic signals reporting to pothole app
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has introduced an additional feature on its PotholeFixGP app to also report faulty traffic signals. Launched in 2022, the app was designed to enable the public to report potholes on the provincial road network.
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.