The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has awarded 12 road infrastructure contracts to the value of R1.4-billion in the Eastern Cape since the start of the 2024/25 financial year, with R3.8-billion more to be awarded by the end of the year.

The awarded tenders include the construction of the R61 section between Luqoqweni and Bambisana, to the value of R174-million; the upgrading of the N2 section from Bloukrans to Storms River, to the value of R93-million; and the contract for slope stabilisation along the R61 section near Cofimvaba, to the value of R44-million ­– all awarded in mid-August.

“Furthermore, 24 tenders are in evaluation stage and we anticipate these to be awarded in the last quarter of the year,” says Sanral southern region manager Mbulelo Peterson.

Contracts currently in the evaluation phase include the upgrading of the R61 sections from All Saints to Bhaziya and between Qumanco and Ngcobo; the upgrading of the Pikoli to Glenmore access road from the N2 intersection; and the upgrading of the R62 from Louterwater to Kareedouw.

These are anticipated to be awarded by end of this calendar year.

The southern region will be advertising a further 14 tenders with an estimated value of R1.2-billion over the next few weeks.

These include the contract for the upgrading of the R62 section from Joubertina to Louterwater; the upgrading of the N2 section from Mbokotwana River to Qumbu; and the widening of the N2 from Viedgesville to Mthatha to a double carriageway to ease traffic congestion in the Mthatha central business district.

“The bulk of the investment will be in the eastern part of the province, which is the most populous area of the Eastern Cape, and the area where road infrastructure is lacking,” notes Peterson.

“Our focus will largely be around Mthatha as a key economic hub of the province with a total investment of around R5-billion to improve mobility in and out of the city along the N2 from Viedgesville to the city centre, and, later in 2025, on the R61 from the Mthatha Airport to Madeira Street.”

Seventeen routine road maintenance contracts, with an estimated value of R1.2-billion, will also be taken to market over the next few months as the current contracts reach their conclusion.