South African highways project at Hartbeespoort Dam set to relieve congestion
Traffic flow in the Hartbeespoort Dam is set to improve as construction work on the R512-PWV3 is making good progress. The estimated completion date is December 2019. Once the project is done, motorists will enjoy a free flow of traffic and there will be a better link to the North West Province from the west of Pretoria and Johannesburg, says Alex van Niekerk, Planning, Toll and Transport Manager of the South African National Road Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL).
The completion of the project will also ensure that long distance movements do not interfere with local traffic. The road stretches from the R512 to the west of the dam, through Pampoennek to the connection with the N4 to Rustenburg.
Challenges faced during construction mainly relate to the quality of the in-situ material from the cutting in the neck and the supply of suitable fill material, locally. The project end date was originally October 2019 but has been extended due to changes made to the Game Underpass which resulted in a larger structure being erected, requiring more time to complete.
The excavations at Pampoennek are progressing well and are approximately 80% completed. The contract has to comply with the environmental authorisation and management plan issued by the Department of Environmental Affairs. As part of the plan, indigenous flora was rescued from the affected areas and will be reinstated into its natural environment on the cutting slopes in the Magalies Neck.
As part of SANRAL’s project objectives to actively promote the development of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME) and job creation, the contractor has created 165 jobs and utilised 21 SMMEs to date.
SANRAL will continue to work on reducing traffic congestion in the area says Van Niekerk. We look forward to successfully completing this project without harming the environment, he says.
