NELSPRUIT – Trans African Concessions (TRAC) is hard at work ahead of the Easter weekend to try to prevent unnecessary delays and ensure save travelling.
Starting in Pretoria and ending in Maputo, the N4 experiences extremely high volumes of traffic during this period as thousands of travellers and migrant workers use this route to reach their destinations, with the highest volumes expected on April 17 and April 21 from 12:00 to 20:00.
In an effort to prevent congestion, construction and maintenance work will cease throughout the route for the duration of Easter. However, people travelling to or from Malalane in the Lowveld should note this stop-and-go will still be active with expected waiting times of up to 45 minutes.
Although TRAC realises that this may cause some frustration, it is unable to interrupt it at this delicate stage due to the nature of the construction work. With the infrastructure in need of structural improvement, TRAC initiated the reconstruction of the top 300mm of the road. This is usually done in sections of approximately six kilometres which, once broken up, must be closed until the work is completed.
Although it is always advisable to have temporary traffic bypasses available during such construction phases, this section of road (known as Crocodile Gorge) is situated in an extremely challenging and difficult topographical area, making it impossible for the establishment of a temporary deviation.
TRAC is well aware of the long delays sometimes experienced at this construction site, especially at times like Easter. However, due to the mentioned width restrictions, it is limited to providing one-way traffic through the Gorge during construction. Given the current status quo of the construction phase, the best TRAC can do to minimise delay is to reduce the length of the stop and go.
It will also work hand in hand with the SAPS, emergency services and the Lebombo Border Control Operational Coordinating Committee throughout Easter to ensure civil order is maintained and road regulations are obeyed. TRAC CEO, Mr Graham Esterhuysen has urged road users to remain patient and understanding and to cooperate with all relevant authorities. “We understand motorists’ desire to reach their destinations as soon as possible and therefore we advise them to plan their trips properly and efficiently and to consider alternative routes where possible,” Esterhuysen said.
Road users are reminded to make use of the TRACAssist service. All emergencies, incidents, accidents or any other significant events on the N4 can be reported to the TRAC Help Desk at 0800-8722-64. This service operates 24 hours a day. Road users are also invited to stay in touch with daily events on the road through regular updates on Twitter (@TRACN4Route).
