TRAC plans ahead for festive season traffic surge

To accommodate the expected surge in traffic, TRAC will ensure that all N4 toll plazas are fully staffed on earmarked days.

Traffic on the route is expected to peak on December 9, 15, 16, 23 and 24 and again on 2 and 3 January 2023.

TRAC will also continue to conduct double-route patrols, and in addition, its roadside assistance teams (TRACAssist) and 24-hour Helpdesk teams will be on full alert throughout this period.

As a preventative measure against traffic disruptions, TRAC’s roadside assistance and patrol component – TRACAssist – will continue to conduct double patrols and, together with the TRAC 24-hour Helpdesk, will be on full alert throughout this period.

Furthermore, this road emergency assistance unit will also be on standby at designated hotspots on peak traffic days to further enhance incident/accident support and management.

TRAC urges road users travelling between South Africa and Mozambique during the festive season to plan their trips, as delays and traffic congestion are expected near and at the Lebombo and Ressano Garcia border posts.

TRAC also reminds the public that although delays at the border impact traffic flow on the TRAC N4 Route, border-clearing processes do not fall under its jurisdiction.

Therefore, TRAC cannot be held liable for or assist with backlogs relating to this issue. TRAC has, however, committed to helping with certain logistical
requirements that are expected to improve traffic flow during busy times.

The following border traffic management operations will come into effect on 15 December:

South Africa (Eastbound)

• There will be a traffic control point at Coopersdal for all vehicles.

• Local traffic en-route to Komatipoort and visitors to the Kruger National Park will be redirected onto the

Tenbosch road.

• Commercial vehicles (trucks), busses, taxis and light vehicles en-route to the border will be stacked on the N4 just before KM 7 (red aeroplane). This checkpoint will regulate traffic movement to the border, passport control and customs.

• Commercial vehicles, busses and taxis will be pre-cleared at the Dry Port, whereafter they will be escorted to the Lebombo Border Post.

• Private vehicles will be permitted to proceed towards the border from KM 7.
Please note that NO QUEUEING will be permitted between KM 7 and the Lebombo Border Post.

South Africa (Westbound)

• Commercial vehicles (trucks) will be diverted to Mananga Road.

• All other traffic will be diverted through Komatipoort at the Sasol Garage intersection.

Mozambique (Westbound)

• There will be two advance points – one at Ressano Garcia Border Post and another at KM 10.

• The main clearing position will be at KM 4.

• In the event of a backlog at KM 4, commercial vehicles heading westbound will be temporarily held at the Pessene Load Control Centre and Moamba Toll Plaza until the clearing facility is clear.

TRAC is also pleased to announce that road construction en-route will be on hold during the construction sector’s annual leave period between 15 December 2022 and 9 January 2023.

However, all construction areas will still be deemed active, and road users are urged to be cautious and obey road signage.

According to TRAC CEO Alex van Niekerk, the company’s primary goal is the safety and well-being of its road users. In view of this, he encourages road users using the route these holidays to make full use of the TRAC 24-hour Helpdesk in the event of a breakdown, emergency or incident or for general route-related
information by calling 0800 87 22 64 or 082 881 4444 in South Africa and 800 9022 in Mozambique.

TRAC further recommends that road users travel in the daytime or during busier traffic periods to avoid falling prey to road spiking or other criminal activities.

He further encourages road users to stay abreast of news relating to the route, throughout the festive season, by following the concessionaire on Twitter @TRACN4route, Facebook @TRACN4 or visiting www.tracn4.co.za.