Construction World November 2024

BUILDING

Transforming Moloto Road from safety hazard TO CORRIDOR OF OPPORTUNITY The R573 Moloto Road corridor, stretching 162 kilometres through Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, is a crucial artery for commuter traffic. This busy route, often referred to as the “road of death” due to its notoriously high accident rate, serves up to 60,000 passengers travelling to and from Pretoria each day. Recognising the urgent need for intervention, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) embarked on a significant upgrade to transform the road into a safer, more efficient corridor. By Progress Hlahla

T his was shared at an information session at the Engcobo Indoor Sports Centre in the Eastern Cape, which aimed to empower small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) by providing comprehensive insights into SANRAL's procurement processes and support mechanisms. Dr AB Xuma Local Municipality Acting Mayor, Councillor Sandiso Ngxangu, welcomed SANRAL’s drive to ensure safe infrastructure. “The R61 on both sides of Ngcobo town has always recorded crashes that claim human lives every month. The projects SANRAL is set to bring will therefore make a big difference in people’s lives and households while attempting to reduce road accidents. It’s about the safety of road users and access to essential services in

town using safer roads. We want Ngcobo to change in terms of infrastructure,” said Ngxangu. Participants were enlightened on various aspects critical to their participation in SANRAL projects. The discussions covered the mobilisation period, the tender process and the criteria for participation in SANRAL's initiatives. Thandile Makwabe, SANRAL’s Regional Transformation Officer, emphasised the processes prescribed to main contractors for appointing subcontractors to meet SANRAL’s contract participation goals. “SANRAL ensures that there’s a percentage set aside for SMMEs while empowering them to participate in construction projects in their local communities and elsewhere. We provide information

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