Sanral: Polokwane’s R226.5 mil

Sanral: Polokwane’s R226.5 million ring road project will resume

New intersections will be included in this contract.

Sanral: Polokwane’s R226.5 mil

Construction of Polokwane’s ring road project will begin this month, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) said on Friday.

Polokwane: Edwin Construction will head up the contract

The roads agency said it has appointed Edwin Construction (Pty) Ltd. to complete the construction of the road. Initially, the contract was awarded to Basil Read in August 2015. However, the contractor experienced cash flow issues, which stalled the project, and a rescue plan was hatched.

Commenting on the new development, SANRAL Northern Region Manager, Progress Hlahla, said that Edwin Construction will continue on the original contract.

“In April 2019, the SANRAL board approved the appointment of the contractor to continue the work and this is allowed under the terms of the contract if both parties agree. Sanral, Basil Read and the insurers, Credit Guarantee Insurance Corporation of Africa Limited (CGIC), have agreed that the contract will be ceded from Basil Read to Edwin Construction. CGIC will issue a new 10% Performance Bond and are assisting SANRAL to cover and offset some of the additional administrative and CPA costs.”

SANRAL Northern Region Manager, Progress Hlahla

The contract is valued at R226.5 million

Hlahla said the contract was valued at R226.5 million excluding VAT and provision for CPA and the remaining construction work to be carried out by Edwin Construction. It includes the completion of the new road, widening and strengthening of the old carriageway, which will become the new southbound carriageway.

Polokwane: New intersections will be completed in this contract

The contract also includes the completion of the new intersections at the R37 (Lydenburg)

  • and P977 (Silikon) road crossings,
  • bridge structures, culverts,
  • road markings,
  • studs,
  • signage,
  • fencing and drainage.

He added that the contractor would also be responsible for cleaning up and finishing off the road reserve, quarries and borrow pits.

We hope that this project will reach completion by November 2020. Its success will increase safety and improve the flow of traffic towards the Polokwane CBD. Hlahla also said that the road will remain safe throughout the upcoming festive season.

“While our routine road maintenance team has been ensuring safety on the route since Basil Read suspended operations in June 2018, Edwin Construction will be responsible for traffic safety along the entire contract length.

A qualified and experienced Traffic Safety Officer will be appointed, whose sole responsibility will be to look after road safety issues daily. Over the December holiday period, special teams will be on standby to carry out road maintenance activities such as pothole patching, road markings, cleaning stormwater debris and fixing signs.”

SANRAL Northern Region Manager, Progress Hlahla

-African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Moses Mudzwiti