Name of the Project
N4 toll route project.

Location
From the Solomon Mahlangu offramp, in Tshwane, Gauteng, in South Africa, to Maputo, in Mozambique.

Project Owner/s
Trans African Concessions (Trac).

Project Description
The N4 toll route is the catalyst for trade and investment between the landlocked provinces of Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, in South Africa, and neighbouring countries.

Trac is responsible for road construction projects that are under way.

The eMalahleni to Middelburg road pavement rehabilitation and upgrade project is a rehabilitation project between the OR Tambo and Van Dyksdrift interchanges in the Highveld region.

The project includes the removal and replacement of concrete slabs from the originally built concrete surfaced road, overlaying the entire section with asphalt, and the construction of an additional 7 km of passing lanes.

The Belfast and Machado road rehabilitation and upgrade project, in Mpumalanga, entails the construction of an additional lane in each direction, which will upgrade this section to a four-lane road.

It also includes a new interchange at Machadodorp and the rehabilitation of a 30 km section of road.

The Kaapmuiden to Kaalrug rehabilitation and upgrade project, on the outskirts of Mpumalanga and bordered by Mozambique, involves the construction of 15.5 km of road, which includes upgrading the carriageway to four lanes and the rehabilitation of the existing road.

Potential Job Creation
The eMalahleni to Middelburg road pavement rehabilitation and upgrade project has created employment opportunities for locals, with more than 280 workers on site, to date, sourced from the eMalahleni and Steve Tshwete local municipalities.

Fifty-eight small-, medium-sized and microenterprises (SMMEs) are benefiting from the project, including subcontractors.

Twenty-one local SMMEs have been appointed on the Belfast and Machadodorp upgrade project. About 300 jobs have also been created.

The New Karino interchange will result in the existing intersection being transformed into a grade-separated interchange, with on- and off-ramps, as well as a bridge that will separate cross- from through-traffic to ease congestion at the busy intersection.

The Kaapmuiden to Kaalrug rehabilitation and upgrade project has created 213 jobs, and 51 SMMEs have benefited from the initiative.

Capital Expenditure
The eMalahleni to Middelburg road pavement rehabilitation and upgrade project is estimated at R380-million; the Belfast and Machado road rehabilitation and upgrade project at R400-million; the New Karino Interchange at R390-million; and the Kaapmuiden to Kaalrug rehabilitation and upgrade project at R340-million.

Planned Start/End Date
The eMalahleni to Middelburg road pavement rehabilitation and upgrade project is scheduled for completion in March 2022; the Belfast and Machado road rehabilitation and upgrade project, as well as the New Karino interchange, in May 2022; and the Kaapmuiden to Kaalrug rehabilitation and upgrade project in October 2021.

Latest Developments
Trac expects to complete the major upgrade between Kaapmuiden and Kaalrug, in the Nkomazi region, on the N4 Toll Route, by October. 

The toll road concessionaire says the 15.5 km road project is more than 75% complete.

The Emalahleni to Middelburg road pavement rehabilitation and upgrade project between the OR Tambo and Van Dyksdrift interchanges in the Highveld region is 60% complete. 

Trac says the major upgrade between Belfast and Machadodorp is progressing well and is 80% complete. 

The Mbombela-based New Karino interchange  is 70% complete, with roadworks moving steadily along.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Raubex Construction (eMalahleni to Middelburg road pavement rehabilitation and upgrade project, and New Karino interchange); Wilson Bayly Holmes Ovcon (Belfast and Machado road rehabilitation and upgrade project); and Tau Pele Construction (Kaapmuiden to Kaalrug rehabilitation and upgrade project).

Contact Details for Project Information
Trac, tel +27 11 805 8788.