The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has confirmed plans for an estimated R250m infrastructure overhaul targeting a critical 10km stretch of the N4 corridor leading directly to the Lebombo Port of Entry.

Lowvelder’s inquiry to Sanral comes in the wake of escalating safety concerns along the route, where heavy freight bound for Mozambique has caused multi-day queues, culminating in a fatal collision near the N4 Dry Port and a three-truck blaze near Hectorspruit.

A cargo truck driver died after a collision with a Toyota Land Cruiser on September 28. Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison spokesperson Moeti Mmusi said the accident occurred after the truck driver allegedly left his vehicle and stood in the road to take a picture.

On September 25, three trucks caught fire after crashing into one another due to heavy congestion on the N4 towards the Mozambican border. All three drivers escaped without injury.

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Toll portfolio funds structural road upgrades

Sanral media relations manager Lwando Mahlasela confirmed the improvement project was initiated through its Asset Management System and verified via regional panel inspections to address mounting pressure on the corridor, adding that the initial estimate will be fully funded through Sanral’s toll portfolio with no financial contribution required from the local municipality.

Mahlasela said the proposed scope will focus on structural upgrades once the initial design phase concludes.

“The precise scope will be determined, which may include widening the cross-section to include truck lanes or widening the shoulder and improving vertical and horizontal alignment,” said Mahlasela.

“Appointed as the project consultant is Linked Consulting Engineers, while physical construction work will be awarded to a main contractor through an open tender process,” he said, emphasising that local small, medium and micro enterprises from the Nkomazi Local Municipality will be incorporated into the procurement and execution phases.

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Sanral confirms project remains in design phase

Despite growing calls from hauliers and motorists for immediate intervention, Mahlasela noted that construction timelines remain unconfirmed.

“The project is currently in the concept stage of design, therefore it is difficult to forecast the precise dates of construction because they depend on other stages such as gate reviews, environmental permits, land acquisitions and other legislation and regulations,” he said.

He also clarified that Sanral’s mandate is strictly limited to the highway network leading to the border post, and traffic accommodation plans will be drafted as engineering plans mature to manage vehicle flow during future construction phases.

Major border upgrades across the country worth R12.5b were announced in April by the Border Management Authority (BMA), which estimated that construction would begin later in the year at some ports. An inquiry regarding when upgrades will begin at Lebombo was sent to BMA deputy assistant commissioner of communications and marketing Mmemme Mogotsi. No comment has been received by the time of going to publication.