SANRAL to upgrade R54 road between Potchefstroom and Vereeniging
The road might also affect the land of farmers from the Fochville area staying next to it.
The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) is planning to upgrade the R54 between Potchefstroom and Vereeniging which also leads through a part of the Fochville area.
According to the company, Zitholele Consulting, which handles the project’s public participation process, the road will be widened and its sides and water drainage will also be improved. Five bridges and four major culverts with more than 100 smaller culverts will also be replaced or upgraded.
“The project aims to improve safety for vehicles and pedestrians, support community development, and modernise infrastructure,” says the project manager, Londolani Sitsula, in a document made available about the project.
The company is currently busy with an application to obtain environmental authorisation for the project. Residents who want to know more, can contact her on 011 207 2060 or send an email to R54roadupgradeBA@zitholele.co.za
They can also visit the website https://zitholele.co.za/environmental/ and search for the project details. This includes information on the impact that the project might have on surrounding agricultural land, to which some residents have raised concerns.
“We are happy that the road is going to be upgraded, but do not want the contractors to use farmers’ water or just take some of their soil for the project,” a resident of the area, Maryke Ras, told the Herald.
