The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has shared what its R500-million investment on Free State roads will entail over the next year.  

Having started with projects in the province in April, Sanral’s investment in road construction and maintenance will go a long way in bringing much-needed job opportunities for small businesses and local community members in Jacobsdal, Koffiefontein, Jagersfontein and Trompsburg, where various projects are under way.

The projects include emergency routine road maintenance on the R48 intersection to Jacobsdal, the R704 national road from Trompsburg to Jagersfontein and likewise, the R705 national road from Jacobsdal to the Free State and Northern Cape provincial border.

These roads were among the 674 roads handed over to Sanral by the Free State provincial government in November last year.

Key works that will be done on the projects include pavement layer repairs, pothole repairs, crack sealing, edge break repairs, shoulder repairs, surface treatment, slope repair, cleaning of drainage structures, grass cutting and bush clearing, fence and guardrail repairs and road marking.

Sanral project manager Sipho Khoza says that, in addition to providing job opportunities for local communities, the routine road maintenance work is crucial in areas where the roads traverse and are the lifeblood of the province’s agricultural economy.

“The upgrades to the roads will provide a boost to the economy and greatly increase road capacity for farmers in the area,” Khoza adds.

On the small, medium-sized and microenterprise (SMME) front, Sanral convened information sessions with local SMMEs and community members in Jacobsdal, Koffiefontein and Trompsburg this week.

During the information session, Sanral, together with the Department of Employment and Labour and South African Revenue Service, shared information about how local SMMEs can become tax compliant and be trained and equipped to enhance their business acumen and tendering skills.

“We want to encourage active dialogue with SMMEs as the project progresses. This is important because we want to ensure smooth running of these projects, with maximum benefits for all those that are affected.

“Working together through the project liaison committee, we will continue to ensure that information is shared and that there is ongoing transparency on matters relating to subcontracting, project execution and employment of local community members,” says Free State provincial acting stakeholder relations coordinator Thandeka Ngema.

Meanwhile, Sanral will also embark on other road maintenance projects in the Free State over the next two years, including maintenance work on the N1 national road from Fonteintjie to Wurasoord, and the N8 national road near Alexanderfontein.