The Civil Engineering Contractor April 2018 | Page 10

INFRASTRUCTURE AFRICA

Kempton Express

The provincial department has spent over R3-billion since 2014 , undertaking heavy and light rehabilitation of the road infrastructure along various corridors in the province .

SOUTHERN AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA

Gauteng : R30bn in transport infrastructure

The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has invested more than R30-billion in the past three years on public infrastructure projects . According to Roads and Transport MEC Ismail Vadi : “ The investments have been on improving our freeway and provincial road networks , the Gautrain , the modernisation of Metrorail , and the roll-out of bus rapid transit systems in metropolitan municipalities . “ This is apart from that which has been spent on social infrastructure projects such as schools , hospitals , and clinics .” The injection of funds into transport projects is meant to facilitate improved mobility , allow for social inclusion , stimulate economic growth , and enable the development of small and emerging contractors .

Since 2014 , the provincial department has spent over R3-billion , undertaking heavy and light rehabilitation of the road infrastructure along various corridors in the province . In the current financial year , the department ’ s allocated budget is R6.8-billion , with R1.9-billion specifically earmarked for transport infrastructure , according to Vadi . In construction and professional services , the department is spending up to 91 % of the budget on historically disadvantaged individuals ( HDIs ). He added that it is therefore critical to ensure that there is true empowerment of small , medium and micro enterprises ( SMMEs ) so that they become more sustainable and contribute to economic growth and development . Source : SAnews . gov . za

Bakwena announces road upgrades for 2018

Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concessionaire ( Bakwena ) will conduct several maintenance and construction projects along the N1N4 routes in 2018 . The upgrades are required to ensure that the N1N4 route continues to meet the highest international standards for the road-paying motorists . Bakwena ’ s commercial manager , Liam Clarke , says work worth an estimated R273-million commenced in July 2017 in Groot Marico between Vaalkop and the Swartruggens boundary on the N4 and will take 20 months to complete , with an anticipated completion date of February 2019 . The rehabilitation of the N4 westbound carriageway between R512 and up to Buffelspoort interchange will be resurfaced . The project entails overlaying the existing surface with a 40mm-thick new asphalt surface . Base layer repairs and gravel reconstruction are also included in this project . The project is worth an estimated R100-million and is expected to take seven months to complete . Another 10-month project to upgrade the R512 interchange , which includes the provision of west-facing ramps , will cost an estimated R55-million . Clarke says construction of a second carriageway on the N4 between the M17 and the R512 ( Brits Interchange ) will also be undertaken . The estimated construction period is 36 months at an estimated cost of R600-million . “ The project will include the extension of structures to accommodate the second carriageway and the realignment of interchange ramps to tie in with the new carriageway . The upgrade to dual carriageway will vastly improve the road safety and traffic capacity ,” Clarke says . Source : Fleetwatch . co . za

8 - CEC April 2018