Gauteng transport MEC Ismail Vadi on Tuesday officially announced the completion of the first phase of the N12 freeway upgrade linking Gauteng and the North West province at a cost of R100-million.
The rehabilitated portion of the freeway stretches from Eldorado Park to Zuurbekom‚ south of Johannesburg‚ and provides a critical link between Gauteng and the North West Province.
The year long project involved the resurfacing of the freeway; clearing of drainage structures; replacing missing steel grids; reinstating of road markings; erecting new road signs; and replacing guardrails.
Vadi emphasised that the rehabilitated freeway‚ together with the three interchanges that were improved along the route‚ would not be part of the e-tolled road network.
He was elated by the fact that the project was completed by the contractor on time and at a lower cost than the tendered amount. The department saved R15-million on the project.
The project had a strong economic empowerment component with 62 workers being appointed from the seven wards affected by the project. Of these‚ 18 were women‚ 43 youth and one disabled person. Also‚ 12 local sub-contractors were appointed to the project.
The project was also used to transfer skills to the local community. More than 300 people were trained in erection of guardrails‚ fencing and sign posts; flagging and road safety; environmental awareness; fire-fighting and first aid; HIV and AIDS in construction; road marking; repairing of road shoulders; compacting hot asphalt; and contract and business management.
During construction a truck carrying a heavy load damaged bridge No 1728 on East Road‚ which resulted in the bridge being closed off to traffic. The department is in the process of appointing a service provider to repair the damaged bridge.
A contractor for the next phase of the N12 refurbishing is already on site to deal with about 40km of the road all the way to the border of Gauteng and North West.
“We really need to get this road in good condition as it is the link with North West and also other provinces.
“It is a crucial artery for the mining sector which uses it to transport goods‚” Vadi said.
First phase of N12 upgrade completed
Gauteng transport MEC Ismail Vadi on Tuesday officially announced the completion of the first phase of the N12 freeway upgrade linking Gauteng and the North West province at a cost of R100-million.
The rehabilitated portion of the freeway stretches from Eldorado Park to Zuurbekom‚ south of Johannesburg‚ and provides a critical link between Gauteng and the North West Province.
The year long project involved the resurfacing of the freeway; clearing of drainage structures; replacing missing steel grids; reinstating of road markings; erecting new road signs; and replacing guardrails.
Vadi emphasised that the rehabilitated freeway‚ together with the three interchanges that were improved along the route‚ would not be part of the e-tolled road network.
He was elated by the fact that the project was completed by the contractor on time and at a lower cost than the tendered amount. The department saved R15-million on the project.
The project had a strong economic empowerment component with 62 workers being appointed from the seven wards affected by the project. Of these‚ 18 were women‚ 43 youth and one disabled person. Also‚ 12 local sub-contractors were appointed to the project.
The project was also used to transfer skills to the local community. More than 300 people were trained in erection of guardrails‚ fencing and sign posts; flagging and road safety; environmental awareness; fire-fighting and first aid; HIV and AIDS in construction; road marking; repairing of road shoulders; compacting hot asphalt; and contract and business management.
During construction a truck carrying a heavy load damaged bridge No 1728 on East Road‚ which resulted in the bridge being closed off to traffic. The department is in the process of appointing a service provider to repair the damaged bridge.
A contractor for the next phase of the N12 refurbishing is already on site to deal with about 40km of the road all the way to the border of Gauteng and North West.
“We really need to get this road in good condition as it is the link with North West and also other provinces.
“It is a crucial artery for the mining sector which uses it to transport goods‚” Vadi said.