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 TRAC N4 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 route between Gauteng and Maputo.

The eMalahleni to Middelburg road pavement rehabilitation and upgrade project – between the OR Tambo and Van Dyksdrift interchanges in the Highveld region – 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. It also includes the rehabilitation of a 30 km section of road.

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 goes 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, in Mpumalanga, involved the construction of 15.5 km of road, which included upgrading the carriageway to four lanes and the rehabilitation of the existing road.

TRAC plans to upgrade the existing at-grade intersection of the much-anticipated Montrose interchange to a grade-separated free flow interchange.

Phase 1 of the project will include blasting activities to realign 600 m of the existing Schoemanskloof carriageway.

The initiative will also include the construction of four new interchange ramps, and the widening of the existing two-lane Crocodile bridge from two to five lanes. 

In addition, two new arch bridges will be built across the existing Elands valley section (N4-7X) and to accommodate two new ramps.

New high-mast lighting will also be installed to illuminate the new interchange.

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.

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 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 was completed in the first quarter of 2022.

The Belfast and Machado road rehabilitation and upgrade project, as well as the New Karino interchange, are expected to be completed in June 2022.

The Kaapmuiden to Kaalrug rehabilitation and upgrade project was completed in October 2021.

The Montrose interchange is expected to take 15 months to complete.

Latest Developments
TRAC reported in February 2022 that the rehabilitation project between the OR Tambo and Van Dyksdrift interchanges was complete.

Additional construction work will start at Middelburg Plaza, and will include the construction of an eastbound screening lane for the Mid-East Load Control Centre. An eastbound and westbound express tag lane for vehicles with tags will be also incorporated into the existing plaza arrangement. These works are scheduled for completion in June 2022.

TRAC further reported the major upgrade between Belfast and Machadodorp 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 New Karino interchange is nearing completing, with only ancillary works to be completed.

The upgrade between Kaapmuiden and Kaalrug in the Nkomazi region has been completed. This 15.5 km 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 and Machado road rehabilitation and upgrade project, and Montrose interchange); 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.