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Roads

‘Highly technical’ phases start at Msikaba

14th June 2024 The Msikaba Bridge project, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, is progressing significantly, says construction company Concor project director Laurence Savage, who notes the structure is now entering technically challenging phases. The Msikaba Bridge forms part of the South African National Roads... →

Innovation, investment key to advance infrastructure growth

By: Simone Liedtke 14th June 2024 While challenges such as funding constraints and skills shortages persist, the roads and bridges sector is poised for growth through strategic investments and technological advancements. By addressing challenges and leveraging innovation, South Africa can achieve significant improvements in its... →

ACHIEVING IMPROVEMENTS By addressing challenges and leveraging innovation, South Africa can achieve significant improvements in its infrastructure

Strategic training vital

By: Simone Liedtke 14th June 2024 As South Africa continues to invest in its infrastructure, the role of institutions such as civil engineering industry body the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) in providing high-quality training will remain pivotal. The future of South Africa’s infrastructure depends on the... →

SUSTAINED EFFORTS The future of South Africa’s infrastructure depends on the sustained efforts to foster a skilled, innovative and adaptable engineering workforce

Providing you with more than just metal

16th June 2023 At John Deere, we have always been focused on providing equipment and support solutions designed to maximise customer uptime and productivity. Our current operating model allows us to do this even more rapidly. By delivering intelligent, connected machines and technology solutions, we can help... →

Extreme weather erodes road networks

By: Nadine Ramdass 16th June 2023 Extreme weather associated with climate change has resulted in many roads becoming impassable, sustaining serious damage or being completely destroyed. The South African roads industry has sought to minimise the impact of climate change on our roads through emergency repair initiatives and... →

An image of SAT giving a tour to students in the Asphalt industry

KNOWLEDGE SHARING Knowledge-based development is paramount

Taking oil out of bitumen

16th June 2023 Instant Bio-Bitumen, a carbon-negative alternative to conventional bitumen derived from the refining of crude oil for use as the binder in asphalt products, is currently being tested by asphalt producer AECI Much Asphalt. The testing forms part of the local asphalt industry’s work towards... →

INSTANT BIO-BITUMEN ASPHALT Asphalt manufacturers currently rely on imported bitumen

Ramping up new builds, maintenance

15th June 2023 Roads agency the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) will continue to increase road construction and maintenance across South Africa. These efforts comprise numerous projects including improvements made to the Huguenot Tunnel located on the N1 in the Western Cape. “We are heeding... →

Structural demolitions pick up pace

By: Nadine Ramdass 15th June 2023 Requests for proposals for structural demolition have increased recently, following a backlog in maintenance and repairs of critical infrastructure, owing to the temporary suspension of non-critical works during Covid-19. The proposals form part of remedial works or of larger replacement... →

An image of an overnight pedestrian bridge removal

SWIFT DEMOLITION Demolitions that impact in use roads need to occur swiftly to ensure roads are reopened within the shortest possible time

Sanral success stories

By: Tracy Hancock 24th June 2022 Despite the negative impact of its recent tender cancellations, South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) says it continues to improve, manage and maintain the national road network. In Limpopo, the R37 improvement project between the Modikwa mine and Burgersfort worth R616-million is... →

CHANGING IT UP The Kokstad Interchange project along the R56 provincial route will take 33 months to complete

Maintenance of ageing road network a top priority – JRA

By: Tracy Hancock 24th June 2022 The deterioration of Johannesburg’s roads is a key concern in terms of the general maintenance of the city, with inclement weather, vandalism and theft, as well as ageing infrastructure, the key challenges hindering service delivery, says Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) acting road infrastructure... →

CASH CONSTRAINTS Limited financial resources and rapidly ageing road infrastructure make it challenging to carry out all maintenance activities

Majority of Sanral road network exceeds design life

By: Tracy Hancock 24th June 2022 With 83.6% of the national road network under South African National Roads Agency Limited’s (Sanral’s) jurisdiction exceeding its 20-year design life, there is increased risk of rapid deterioration during the wet season, owing to the old, cracked surfaces being susceptible to moisture ingress,... →

CUSTOMARY CONDITIONS To be considered a well-maintained road network, it is the in-house norm at Sanral that not more than 10% be in a poor to very poor condition

Local bridge construction of concern

By: Tracy Hancock 24th June 2022 The quality of new bridges being built generally complies with South African National Road Agency Limited (Sanral) standards, which are aligned with international best practice, but the quality of the construction of these bridges is concerning, says South African Institute of Steel Construction... →

AMANUEL GEBREMESKEL Many studies also show that steel structures are the most cost-effective bridges to construct, even when the price of steel fluctuates

Waste material used in roads construction

By: Anna Moross 29th October 2021 The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been involved in several new research initiatives geared towards providing alternative waste material products for use by the road pavement industry in South Africa. →

An image of the demonstration project evaluating the feasibility of using waste plastic in road construction

ROAD RESEARCH PROJECT The research focus of the CSIR has been centred around creating a more inclusive and sustainable approach to future road construction

Need for skills development

By: Anna Moross 29th October 2021 The need for the development of skills and further education in the road industry is imperative, says South African Road Federation (SARF) operations director Basil Jonsson. →

An image of Basil Jonsson, the operations director for the SARF

BASIL JONSSON South Africa has lost many skilled civil engineers over the past decade, which has left a skills gap

Innovation implemented in road project

By: Anna Moross 29th October 2021 Consulting engineers firm WSP has used not only innovative technology in the upgrading of the National Route 3 (N3) project but also aims to ensure the use of sustainable materials throughout construction. →

An image of the digital design of the national route 3 project Mappings

NATIONAL ROUTE 3 PROJECT WSP has implemented a building information modelling (BIM) and digital design strategy during the design phase and will continue to do so in the construction phase

Advanced lighting management system for smart strategy

29th October 2021 Lighting manufacturer BEKA Schréder is proud to introduce you to the Schréder EXEDRA - the most advanced lighting management system on the market that paves the way for future applications in a smarter city. →

A image of the Schréder EXEDRA remote control platform

Schréder EXEDRA The new remote control platform for intelligent street lighting

Emphasis placed on supplying products to address industry issues

By: Simone Liedtke 30th October 2020 South Africa’s civil structures are in dire need of improved performance and longevity, hence building materials company AfriSam’s emphasis on supplying quality products that “go beyond current requirements”. Speaking to Engineering News, AfriSam regional product technical manager Nithia Pillay... →

PERFORMANCE PRIORITISATION
AfriSam is the pioneer of producing highly extended concrete without compromising performance parameters

AfriSam’s Nithia Pillay speaks about the company’s drive to supply products that address industry issues

Bank to play pivotal role in recovery plan

By: Cameron Mackay 30th October 2020 State-owned development finance institution Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) is looking to accelerate playing a meaningful role in the economic recovery of the country by assisting in financing and implementing vital infrastructure projects for the transport sector, particularly road... →

THE ROAD TO RECOVERY The DBSA sees roads infrastructure and other transport sector infrastructure as key to stimulating economic growth and social inclusion

Federation contributes to upskilling, calls for new funding model

By: Cameron Mackay 1st November 2019 The South African Roads Federation (SARF) plans to have conducted more than 50 training and capacity development programmes by the end of this year to help build the necessary capacity in terms of capital, human resources and skills in the roads sector. The programmes cover a range of topics and... →

THE ROAD AHEAD A comprehensive plan, which would include the required funds and development of human capital, combined with a will to execute, could address the backlog of road maintenance

Equipment supplier eyes road rehabilitation contracts

By: Cameron Mackay 1st November 2019 Construction equipment supplier Bobcat Equipment South Africa aims to become more involved in projects with smaller and emerging construction contractors particularly those linked to either N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) contracts or local municipalities on urban road rehabilitation. For example,... →

PATCHING UP ROADS Bobcat aims to take advantage of significant road construction tenders in the next two to three years

Colas

29th October 2019 Construction Materials Upstream from its construction and maintenance business, Colas operates in the production, distribution, sales and recycling of construction materials (emulsions, modified binders, asphalt mixes) through its extensive regional net-work of emulsion factories, asphalt plants,... →

Smart, self-managing lighting the future for municipalities

By: Irma Venter 2nd November 2018 The time of humans controlling light fixtures is fading rapidly, says BEKA Schréder product development manager Daniel Kasper. “The luminaire will control itself; it will react and adjust by itself to the conditions around it. Soon there will be no need for light switches.” →

Colas South Africa

2nd November 2018 Colas South Africa is a company focused on innovative road surfacing products and technology. A subsidiary of the Bouygues Group, the international Colas Group, headquartered in France, is a world leader in the construction and maintenance of transport infrastructure, operating in 50 countries... →

Sanral 2017/18 project roll-out stalled owing to Treasury regulations

By: Irma Venter 2nd November 2018 The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has, in the past year, issued a total of 60 new contracts to the value of R4.9-billion for road construction, it states in its 2017/18 integrated report, presented to Parliament in October. However, this was significantly lower than in the... →

Bitumen supplier concerned about slowdown in road construction

By: Irma Venter 2nd November 2018 The rapidly increasing bitumen price is less of a concern to bitumen suppliers than the recent slowdown in South African road construction, says Colas South Africa commercial, communication and marketing manager Herman Groenewald. Bitumen prices have increased by more than R2 000 a ton since... →

Repairs on R510 completed

By: Irma Venter 2nd November 2018 The repairing and resealing of the R510, which runs from Rustenburg to the Limpopo border, has been completed. “The road is now much more comfortable for drivers and safer for pedestrians,” says the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral). →

Firm completes Soweto-based project

By: Simone Liedtke 15th December 2017 The design and construction supervision of roads, stormwater infrastructure and a bridge for the Elias Motsoaledi housing project, in Soweto, were completed last month, states Hatch Africa, Europe and Middle East highways and bridges practice lead, Leon Mbongwa. →

CONNECTING COMMUNITIES The bridge, for the Elias Motsoaledi housing project, comprises a five-span 65 m long and 13.5 m wide continuous composite deck

Maintenance, construction projects along N1/N4 slated for 2018

By: Simone Liedtke 15th December 2017 The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) and private concessionaire the Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concessionaire will conduct several maintenance and construction projects along the South African N1/N4 toll road, in Gauteng and Limpopo, in 2018. →

INCREASING CAPACITY
Bakwena has installed two pivots, each valued at about R2.4-million, at both the Doornpoort and Pumulani toll plazas

Photo by Duane Daws
INCREASING CAPACITY Bakwena has installed two pivots, each valued at about R2.4-million, at both the Doornpoort and Pumulani toll plazas

N2 rehabilitation project to be completed end of this year

By: Simone Liedtke 15th December 2017 The rehabilitation of 7 km of the N2 between Borcherds Quarry Road (M22) and the R300, and the addition of a third lane in both directions, will be completed by the end this year, under the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works (WCDTPW). →

LIGHTING THE WAY The upgrade will provide better ride quality, safety and visibility

Assistance in overcoming bridge challenges

By: Simone Liedtke 15th December 2017 Industrial rope access specialist Skyriders Access Specialists installed temporary access platforms to allow for critical routine maintenance on the Crocodile river bridge, in Mbombela, Mpumalanga. →

ABSEILING FOR ACCESS Technicians had to deploy rope access to abseil from a structure to erect the access platforms

Transverse launching method to minimise impact on traffic

By: Simone Liedtke 15th December 2017 A transverse launching method, which will be used on the completed Ashton Arch bridge in the Western Cape, will reduce the impact on traffic during the construction of this strategic route, states engineering company Aecom Africa highway and bridges lead Michael Bouwmeester. →

FIRST OF ITS KIND LOCALLY The bridge is the first tied-arch bridge that will be launched into position sideways

National road network at core of local growth

By: Simone Liedtke 15th December 2017 The national road network has been steadily growing over the years and this improves connectivity between cities and regional hubs, which is essential given that it is on this network that the majority of South African citizens commute and conduct business, says South African National Roads... →

LOCAL HUB The national road network has been steadily growing over the years and has improved connectivity between cities and regional hubs

Emphasis on infrastructure development catalyst for growth and sustainability

By: Simone Liedtke 15th December 2017 A development agenda themed ‘Vision 2022’, currently being pursued by the Swaziland government, is putting emphasis on infrastructure development as a catalyst for long-term growth and sustainable development, says engineering and infrastructure advisory company Aurecon bridges technical director... →

SIPHOFANENI BRIDGE The Siphofaneni bridge and road project is going to be the standard for future infrastructure projects in Swaziland

Construction firm forges ahead on N2 road, bridges

15th December 2017 Infrastructure construction firm Concor Infrastructure is making progress on the 34 km section of the N2 highway between Mtunzini and Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal, while ensuring minimal impact to environmentally sensitive areas along the route. →

JONATHAN PEARCE A range of environmental studies were carried out and remedial strategies were developed

Successful debut for new technology solution on bridge project

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 3rd November 2017 Marking a strong debut in the country, independent international engineering and project management consultancy Royal HaskoningDHV’s new iReport solution has been successfully used for the Vincent Tshabalala Pedestrian Bridge project in Alexandra, Johannesburg. The iReport is an innovative... →

ROADMAP Royal HaskoningDHV’s new project management solution, the iReport, used interactive data to communicate information to stakeholders for the Vincent Tshabalala Pedestrian Bridge project

Suitable solution for African road conditions

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 3rd November 2017 Geosynthetic products manufacturer and supplier Fibertex says its Fibertex AM-2 is the ideal product for road construction and road maintenance projects in Africa, owing to its being highly durable and resistant to all natural soil alkalis and acids. “The Fibertex AM-2 is a flexible... →

ROAD TO RECOVERY Fibertex AM-2 has been introduced to road authorities in several developing African countries as a cost-effective solution to road rehabilitation

South Africa steadily keeps pace with global LED shift

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 3rd November 2017 With the UK expecting that all conventional street lights will be converted to street lights fitted with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by 2021, manufacturer of luminaires and glass-fibre-reinforced polyester poles BEKA Schréder product development manager Daniel Kasper laments South Africa’s... →

STREETS AHEAD Light-emitting diode technology for street lighting provides improved lighting levels and generates energy savings

N7 upgrade enhances safety and set to facilitate traffic flow

By: Nadine James 28th October 2016 Civil engineering consultants SMEC South Africa recently successfully completed the R400-million National Route 7 (N7) upgrade, which included the realignment and widening of the road to improve safety and enhance traffic flow. Completed in April, the reconstruction project was carried out on a... →

NEW & IMPROVED The R400-million N7 upgrade was carried out on a 27.7 km portion of road between the Western Cape towns of Citrusdal and Clanwilliam

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