N8 receives a facelift

The National Road 8 (N8) between Bloemfontein and Thaba Nchu is being upgraded by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL). These major improvements follow the huge increase in the use of the N8, impacting heavily on its existing pavement layers and surfacing on certain sections that had reached their serviceable lifespan.

"The rehabilitation and upgrading will result in a road of higher standards, both in terms of alignment and capacity," said Jason Lowe, Project Manager at SANRAL Eastern Region. "It will also result in higher mobility, lower driver stress and safer travel."

Safety improvements to the road will also be made, especially on high accident zones such as the S-bend near the Sepane Rail Bridge, which will be eliminated. Intersections are to be formalised, provision for right turn lanes are to be made, as well as median refuse areas (rubbish bins placed in centre islands).

"There will be less chances of flooding of the roadway due to reconstruction of bridges over major rivers at a higher level than existing ones," says Lowe.

Two separate tenders were put out for this project. The first contract, valued at R463 million, is for the upgrading and rehabilitation of the 28km stretch between Sannaspos and Thaba Nchu. Work on this section started on 2 December 2013 and is due to be completed by 1 June 2016.

The second contract, valued at R461 million, is for the 24km stretch between Bloemfontein and Sannaspos. Work on this section started on 31 October 2014 and is due to be completed on 30 January 2017.

The two N8 projects set in motion the wheels of transformation, job creation and economic inclusion. A total number of 332 people were employed and 28 local individuals have been trained in skills they will be able to use in future. There are also 143 small businesses that have been contracted and now have an opportunity to raise their profiles.

During the construction period, two-way traffic will be accommodated on the existing road, on the temporary bypasses and on the newly built sections of the road. No stop-and-go measures are being applied and there will be minimum impact on traffic flow.

Reduced speed limits are, however, being enforced and motorists are advised to observe all warning signs for their own safety, the safety of other motorists and that of the workers on the road.