Name and Location
National Road 8 (N8) road upgrade project, Free State, South Africa.

Client
South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral).

Project Description
The project involves the upgrade of the N8 between Bloemfontein and Thaba Nchu, in the Free State. These major improvements follow the huge increase in the use of the N8, impacting heavily on its existing pavement layers and surfacing on certain sections that have reached their serviceable life span.

The project will result in a road of higher standards, in terms of alignment and capacity, as well as in higher mobility, lower driver stress and safer travel.

Safety improvements to the road will also be made, especially on high accident zones, such as the S-bend, which will be eliminated, near the Sepane rail bridge. Intersections will be formalised and provision for right-turn lanes and median refuse areas (rubbish bins placed in the centre islands) will be made.

Two separate tenders were put out for this project.

The first contract entails the upgrading and rehabilitation of the 28 km stretch between Sannaspos and Thaba Nchu, while the second contract entails similar work for the 24 km stretch between Bloemfontein and Sannaspos.

Value
The first contract is valued at R463-million and the second at R461-million.

Duration
Work on the first contract started in December 2013 and is expected to be completed by June this year.

Work on the second contract started in October 2014 and is expected to be completed in January 2017.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Meropa Communications on behalf of Sanral, Zenele Bam, tel +27 11 506 7386 or email zeneleb@meropa.co.za.