The Civil Engineering Contractor April 2019 | Page 21

Construction of the Polokwane Eastern Ring Road project came to a
standstill in March last year when contractor Basil Read’s construction
section entered business rescue, at a time when the project was
80% complete. In late 2018, optimistic media reports suggested that
subcontractors were poised to return to site before the rainy season
to complete the job, and a new plan anticipated a project completion
date of 30 March 2019.
Civil Engineering Contractor paid a visit to the site in March,
only to find it still abandoned; a March completion date hopelessly
unrealistic — and traffic conditions around the city chaotic.
The business rescue plan did not proceed as well as envisaged.
Engineers in Polokwane believe a new contractor is in the process of
being appointed, and work should resume shortly. However, there has
been no public announcement.
Scope of works for the construction and
upgrading of the Eastern Ring Road
•
New section of the N1-27 between the P43-1 Interchange and

the N1-28X Interchange: This 6km-in-length section of road is a
greenfields section and is the last remaining section of road that is
to be constructed to complete the Eastern Ring Road.
•
Construction of the N1-28 Interchange: This interchange is to be
constructed to give preference to traffic travelling from the south
on the new N1-27 towards the north of the country. Traffic from the
north of the country travelling to the south on the N1-27 bypass
will also receive preference in the design. Traffic flow towards the
Polokwane CBD remains possible.
•
Construction of the Road 22 overpass: The existing alignment

of Road 22 to be changed and a road-over-road bridge to be
constructed.
•
Construction of the railway line road-over-rail bridge with a

residential access road to the south of the railway line to provide
access to new residential developments either side of the N1-27.
•
Construction of the P43-1 Interchange. It will improve capacity and
safety at the P43-1/N1-27 interchange.
•
Construction of an overpass between the P17-1 and P43-1

Interchange to be constructed to link current residential and
commercial developments that are currently taking place next to
the N1-27.
•
Construction of the N1-27 between Road P17-1 and Road P43-1
has been constructed on the alignment of a future service road.
• Alignment of the N1-27.
• Construction of the P17-1 Interchange: a diamond interchange that
will improve capacity and safety at the P17-1/N1-27 intersection.
•
Construction of the Stadium Interchange: a diamond interchange
that will improve capacity and safety at the intersection to the
nn
soccer stadium.
www.civilsonline.co.za
CEC April 2019 | 19