Finally. A contractor is on-site to start with the long-awaited repairs on the large hole on the side of the R40 near Klipkopjes Dam.

Sanral Northern Region’s project manager, Tony Seloana, said the contractor had faced some challenges with establishing a project liaison committee (PLC) and the awarding of subcontracting work packages.

“The matter was resolved, a PLC was appointed and all challenges were addressed. The good news is that the contractor is on-site, busy with the repairs. However, we cannot give a time frame for completion of the work due to the ongoing rains.”

Seloana urged motorists to drive with caution when approaching the area, and to be patient.

ALSO READ: R40 sinkhole between White River and Hazyview still untouched

For the past two years the road has been operating on a stop-and-go basis, although the contractor is adding a detour right next to the R40 until the work is complete.

It is still unclear as to what will happen to the detour after that, and currently there is no timeline for when it would be functional.
Sanral has set aside about R40m for the road’s rehabilitation.

This gap in the busy R40 near Klipkopjes Dam, which was caused by floods in February 2023, was not the only damage in the area.

The severe storm caused widespread destruction to infrastructure, houses, roads, schools and healthcare facilities.

ALSO READ: R40 sinkhole near White River still not fixed

The assessment of these damages was completed in April 2023 and it was estimated that R2.3b was needed to do all the repairs across Mpumalanga.

The provincial Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs applied for funding from the National Disaster Management Centre, which in turn said it only had limited funds available and it would only go as far as assisting some local municipalities to repair infrastructure damage, including roads.

Sanral took over to repair the damaged part of the R40, while the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport undertook to repair roads such as the R536 between Hazyview and Sabie and the R40 between Barberton and the Josefsdal Border Post.

SNA Construction, Kgarebana Civil and Structural Engineers, and White Hazy Construction have been appointed to undertake the R40 repairs.

In terms of job creation, the construction target is to employ between 20 and 30 people, which would include a minimum of six to nine young people, at least six to nine women and one person living with a disability.

The contractors have also undertaken to spend more than R50 000 on community development projects.