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 all road construction projects that are under way on the N4 toll route between Gauteng and Maputo.

The eMalahleni to Middelburg road pavement rehabilitation and upgrade project involves 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-Machado major upgrade and road rehabilitation project, in Mpumalanga, entails the construction of a new interchange at Machadodorp. It also includes the construction of an additional lane in each direction, ensuring that this section of road transitions from a two-lane road with passing lanes at certain points to  a four-lane road.

It also includes the rehabilitation of a 30 km section of road.

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, in Nkomazi, Mpumalanga, 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-Machado upgrade project. About 300 jobs have also been created.

More than 50 emerging contractors ave benefited from the New Karino interchange project, and about 275 jobs have been created on site.

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-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 was scheduled for completion in March 2022; the Belfast-Machado road rehabilitation and upgrade project, as well as the New Karino interchange, in June 2022; and the Kaapmuiden to Kaalrug rehabilitation and upgrade project was completed in October 2021.

Latest Developments
TRAC reported in February 2022 that the the rehabilitation project between the OR Tambo and Van Dyksdrift interchanges was 85% complete, with completion expected in March 2022. 

It also reported the major upgrade between Belfast and Machado was progressing well, and was 90% complete. Roadwork teams have also started an additional component of this project – the construction of the Milly’s underpass – which, together with the remaining roadworks, is scheduled for completion in June 2022.

The Karino interchange was 88% complete by February, with completion having been scheduled for March 2022.

The upgrade between Kaapmuiden and Kaalrug in the Nkomazi region has been completed. This 15.5km portion of the Maputo Corridor now boasts a four-lane carriageway and a rehabilitated road surface, which offers an even better driving experience.

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-Machado road rehabilitation and upgrade project); and Tau Pele Construction (Kaapmuiden to Kaalrug rehabilitation and upgrade project).

Contact Details for Project Information
TRAC communications manager Solange Soares, tel +27 13 755 3316 or email ssoares@tracn4.co.za.