Memel Road: Quality and Tollgate concerns addressed amidst repairs

The R34, widely recognised as the Memel Road, has become the focal point of attention as repair operations along this well-travelled route are now in full swing. However, can motorists expect quality workmanship and a tollgate along the road?

Allegations emerged regarding the involvement of a contractor previously associated with unsatisfactory work on the Memel Road and now with SANRAL taking control of the road, concerns arose that due to their location, the same contractor would be appointed again.

Adding to this, a resident claimed he had heard about the potential installation of a tollgate by the South African National Road Agency (SANRAL) to recoup the expenses allocated to repairing and maintaining the road.

Responding to Newcastillian News and setting the record straight, SANRAL’s Eastern Region Operations and Maintenance Manager, Dudley Mbambo explained that this was not the case at all.

Delving into the matter, Mbambo said that there are currently two contractors working along the R34. These contractors are as follows:

• Damian’s Contractors, which will work from Vrede to the KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State border.
• OTC Civils will work from Vrede to Kroonstad, and from Bloemhof to Odendaalsrus.

Furthermore, SANRAL stated that the entity ensured all contractors were meticulously checked prior to commencing work on a given project. “SANRAL appoints firms of engineering professionals to supervise construction contracts and ensure quality control. In addition, a SANRAL Project Manager is assigned to each project undertaken by the Agency to ensure the necessary standards are met,” stated Mbambo.

Looking at the end goal of the project, Mbambo assured that the work along the road prioritised motorists’ safety through proper upkeep.

“The current work being undertaken is emergency routine road maintenance (RRM) to improve the driveability of the road for the safety of road users. Activities such as repairing potholes, improving the drainage of the road by cleaning drainage structures, grass cutting, the removal of edge build-up, the repair of edge break, and addressing faded road markings and road signs are typical routine maintenance activities,” elucidated Mbambo.

Throughout the repair process, at least one lane will remain open to traffic, facilitated by implementing Stop/Go systems.

Adding to this, Mbambo stated that across the more than 400km of recently transferred portions of the R34 between the Free State/North-West border near Bloemhof and the Free State/KZN border near Memel, approximately R600 million is scheduled to be spent to restore the road to a serviceable condition.

“This is due to some sections being in severe state of disrepair and requiring higher order interventions,” he said, highlighting that SANRAL was determined to see the work done properly and not be allowed to return to the sordid conditions so many motorists had become accustomed to.

Addressing concerns about the installation of a tollgate on the Memel Road, Mbambo assured the public that such plans were not in the pipeline. “None of the portions of the R34 that were recently transferred to SANRAL from the Free State province form part of a toll route. In addition, the process of identifying and implementing a toll route is a long process involving various feasibility studies, and public consultation and requires the authorisation of the Minister of Transport.  That process has not been undertaken for the recently transferred routes,” he clarified.

As the necessary emergency repair work is in full swing, there is a negative aspect to the roads being repaired. Magenta Emergency Medical Service’s Charles Steyn explained, “With the stop-and-go systems, alongside the potholes, response time for incidents along the R34 will unfortunately be a bit longer. It is hoped that the repair work will not see potholes be filled with quick-drying tar, as this will make the road bumpy.”

However, on a positive note, Steyn highlighted that if SANRAL’s work proves efficient it would make a remarkable difference for emergency personnel who often have to dodge and weave past potholes, ensuring their patients, personnel and vehicles remain safe.

As the repair work progresses, the community is encouraged to share their thoughts and opinions on the ongoing efforts along the R34 in the comment section below.