Roads Dept allocates R3.6b for infrastructure

More than half of this amount, namely R3.6b has been allocated for road infrastructure. “In the past five years, we completed 149 road work projects comprising upgrades from gravel to tar, preventative maintenance and attending to flood damaged roads and bridges. The highest concentration was on preventative maintenance which accounted for 64% (95 projects). Upgrading works consisted of 20% (30 projects) of the total projects and repairs on roads damaged by floods, 16% (20 projects).

The P277/1 from Makuya to Masisi in the Thulamela district is also a tourist route leading to Kruger National Park. The D21 from Ofcalaco to Gafani has been completed and now entering phase two of maintenance.” In presenting the annual State of the Province Address, Premier Stanley Chupu Mathabatha spoke at length on issues concerning road infrastructure, she said. “We can confirm that we have made significant progress on priority roads in the province.”

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“The D3734, also known as Tshatshama, is currently under construction. Also, the construction of the D3248 from Thabane and its access to N’wamitwa is underway,” she added. Rakgoale mentioned that they have been working to ensure that they reduce the number of unpaved roads in the province by forming strategic public-private partnerships with progressive mines.

“The Palaborwa Mining Company also partnered with RAL and jointly funded to the tune of R205m the construction of the D4424 from Lulekani Post Office to Matikoxikaya and the rehabilitation of the D3786 from Maseke to Mashishimale, connecting the R40 and R71. “These two roads have a total length of approximately 40km. The project commenced in March, and is scheduled for completion in September 2025.

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Through fruitful engagements with the national Department of Transport, an agreement was reached that 19 critical road networks in the province will be maintained through Sanral,” she added. She said the department understands that these interventions might be just a drop in the ocean, but that it will make a huge impact in those localities and as and when a budget is available, these roads and other many roads across the province will be prioritised.

“Roads Agency Limpopo currently has 139 road maintenance and rehabilitation projects of which 52 have been completed and 18 are under practical completion. The implementation remainder of the projects is ongoing. The attending to the unpaved road network to ensure that it is drivable,” said the MEC. She said that in October 2023, 25 graders, one excavator and 17 light delivery vehicles were procured to augment.

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“During the period under review the department also planned to re-gravel 110km of gravel roads, and we achieved that target. The department will further procure more yellow fleet with the earmarked R100m allocated byTreasury to connect people and businesses and in turn stimulate the economy of the province,” concluded Rakgoale.