Capital Equipment News June 2023

TRANSPORT NEWS

Infrastructure boost will help N3 transport flow After years of traffic congestion on the N3 Section 2 from Dardanelles (km 26.6) to Lynnfield Park (km 30.6), GIBB was appointed by the South African Roads

which started in January 2021, and is set to be completed by its deadline of May 2025, has not been without its challeng es. Magwa said accommodating traffic on the busy road, the supply of materials from the SANRAL quarry, land acquisi tion and issues around groundwater have all been challenges the team has had to deal with. “In addition, during the design stage, most of the existing structures did not have as-built drawings. We had to employ other means like conducting structural surveys and 3D scanning of the struc ture to establish the sizes, spans of the existing structures and the amount of reinforcement on the existing structure,” Magwa said. “This information helps us establish the capacity of the existing structures and also to determine any strengthening if required with the increased loads on the existing structure,” he said. During the construction phase, Magwa said the local and regional communities would experience positive and negative effects as a result of the construction process. On a positive note, there may be temporary job creation for semi-skilled and unskilled workers. However, the local

Mega-T returns for a second year Agency (SANRAL) to assist with the design and construction of four bridge widenings, a new ramp bridge and v-drains, among other responsibilities. The N3 project saw GIBB employing a host of new technologies and innovations to complete the project, including a spe cialist traffic modelling software called Aimsun, new LED lighting for streetlights, and stronger and heavier road pavement material. “The construction industry is notori ously slow regarding the implementation of new technologies since the commer cial risks related to the use of untested technologies are simply too high. For this reason, the tendency has always been to revert to the tried and tested methods and materials,” said Innocent Magwa, GIBB’s Bridge Design Engineer. “Where possible, technological advancements have been embraced and implemented. Sufficient trials were conducted to motivate the use of alterna tives,” Magwa said. The construction part of the project, Mega-T, the new outdoor trucking, trailer and transport expo, will be hosted for the second time on 5, 6 and 7 October at the Diamantvallei Landgoed showgrounds, 20km east of Pretoria. After a successful first edition in 2022, this event, powered by The Road Freight Association (RFA), is firmly positioned as a powerful Business to Business Expo. “Mega-T Expo is the perfect combina tion of business and pleasure,” explains HP Steyn, the event organiser. “It serves as a hub for the trucking in dustry to network, showcase cutting-edge technology, connect with suppliers, and exchange business ideas. Established businesses can exhibit their products and services, reaching their target market. The show covers a wide range of categories including trucks and trailers, tracking and security, parts and maintenance, financ ing and insurance, navigation and fleet management, and refuelling systems.” Gavin Kelly, CEO of The Road Freight Association (RFA), adds that the feedback received from participants in the 2022 show was overwhelmingly positive. “Some exhibitors signed deals during

Innocent Magwa, GIBB’s Bridge Design Engineer.

communities might experience poorer access and travelling conditions during construction. “With mitigation, the negative eco nomic and socio-economic impacts of the project during construction are expected to be low,” he said. Magwa added that there will be “increased opportunities for local contractors and SMMEs, and a general increase in spending on a wide range of goods and services in Durban,

the two-day event, whilst others networked tirelessly and started building/growing relationships with potential customers and learning about the latest innovations in trailers, trucking and transport,” he says. “We had quality visitors and quality time for many businesses seeking new contacts or reviving old ones.” As a result of feed

HP Steyn, the event organiser.

back received, the show has been extended by one day to include a Saturday, enabling families to come and experience Mega-T. “All in all, most people I interacted with said that they had benefitted from being at Mega-T. There were several exhibitors who wish to increase the size and style of their stands for the Expo this year or move into the upper sections of the Expo closer to the entertainment area and market the Expo amongst their circle of businesses and friends.” Several prominent brands in the indus try have already secured their space for

the 2023 event. This includes petroleum wholesaler Mammut Petroleum, Indian multinational tyre company Apollo Tyres and German braking systems manufactur er Knorr-Bremse AG. Building upon the achievements of the previous edition, Mega-T will introduce an exciting new focus on career planning. Recognising the importance of nurturing future talent and promoting the transport industry as a viable career path, the expo will incorporate educational elements to enlighten students about the vast career opportunities available in this

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