Maputo Corridor road users urged to drive diligently this festive season

With traffic volumes expected to increase substantially on the Maputo Corridor between Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Maputo this festive season, Trans African Concessions (TRAC) will put several elements in place to prevent major backlogs and traffic delays over this period.

According to TRAC’s spokesperson Solange Soares, to accommodate the expected surge in traffic, they will ensure that all N4 toll plazas are fully staffed during peak periods. Road users should be aware that higher than normal traffic volumes are expected on December 14, 15, 16, 22 and 23, and again between January 2 and 7.

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

“The road emergency unit will also be on standby at designated hotspots on peak traffic days to further enhance incident or accident support and management. TRAC urges road users travelling between South Africa and Mozambique to plan their trips, as delays and traffic congestion may occur near and at the Lebombo and Ressano Garcia border posts.

“We would like to remind motorists that although delays at these border posts can impact traffic flow on the TRAC N4 route, the long queues experienced in this region mainly apply to heavy vehicles exporting goods to Mozambique. Light vehicles are processed separately,” says Soares.

“Furthermore, although TRAC assists as far as possible in managing congestion and incidents in the vicinity of the international border crossing, the concessionaire is not responsible for operations at the Lebombo and Ressano Garcia border posts,” she adds.

In a bid to further assist border management cope with the expected influx of traffic, TRAC has committed to assist with certain logistical requirements that are expected to improve traffic flow during busy times.

For real-time information regarding congestion and delays at the Lebombo and Ressano Garcia borders, road users are urged to follow @TRACN4Route on X or @TRACN4 on Facebook. or go to www.tracn4.co.za.

Road construction along the route will be on hold during the construction sector’s annual leave period between December 15 and January 15.

However, all construction areas will still be deemed active, and road users are encouraged to be cautious and obey road signage. Traffic accommodation measures will also be implemented at certain road construction sites with road users urged to obey these regulations for everyone’s safety.

TRAC CEO Alex van Niekerk says the company’s primary goal is the safety and well-being of road users. In view of this, he encourages road users to make full use of the TRAC 24-hour Helpdesk in the event of a breakdown, emergency, or incident.

He 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.

The following border traffic management operations will be in effect from December 13 to January 17:

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), buses, 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, buses and taxis will be pre-cleared at the Dry Port, where after they will be escorted to the Lebombo Border Post
• Private vehicles will be permitted to proceed towards the border from KM 7
• 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.

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.