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May 14, 2008:
Seven contracts to the value of R11,5bn has been awarded to various tenders to begin work on the first phase of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project.
The project will involve provision of additional lanes, interchange improvements and intelligent transport management systems, including cameras, ramp metering and electronic signage.
The SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) announced on Saturday that construction, which will see the heavy traffic congestion on the province's main highways reduced, was to begin soon.
Sanral said apart from the peak-hour traffic jams inhibiting economic growth, leading to frustration and the loss of productivity of road users, it was also causing damage to the environment through excessive emissions.
The awards followed the earlier contract for the upgrade of the N1 between the R21 interchange and Atterbury interchange, east of Pretoria, where construction was well underway.
The project will see the upgrading at the N1 from Soweto to the N4 in Pretoria; N3 from Alberton to Buccleuch; sections of the N12 south of Johannesburg as well as the N12 from the Gilloolys interchange to the R21 to Boksburg would take place over the next 36 months.
"The works have been prioritised to be substantially completed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In order not to disrupt the flow of traffic during this period a temporary suspension period has been programmed for from 28 May 2010 to 14 July 2010," a Sanral statement said.
Progress of works will be assessed by the agency and the relevant contractors in February 2010, where the state of the works to be completed by May 2010 will be assessed.
The project is a result of cooperation through the various spheres of government, with involvement of Ekurhuleni, Tshwane and Johannesburg metros, the provincial and national governments.
To promote the use of public transport, the roads will also include high occupancy vehicle lanes which could be integrated with bus rapid transport systems, taxi, bus and train routes.
Sanral said that although traffic disruptions were to be expected during the construction, it would attempt to minimise this and keep a maximum of lanes open, particularly during peak hours.
The agency further urged motorists to drive carefully through construction sites, which would be policed, keeping to posted temporary speed limits, and not slowing down to look at construction activities.
"The long term benefits will more than compensate for the temporary inconvenience of construction activities and we appeal to the public to exercise extreme caution on the entire network during construction," the agency said.
These tender awards follow the earlier contract for the upgrade of the N1 between the R21 interchange and Atterbury Interchange, east of Pretoria, where construction is well underway. – Bathandwa Mbola, BuaNews