Road upgrade will ease congestion on N11

Millions will be spent to upgrade the N11 road linking Mokopane to Lephalale. The traffic congestion in certain areas, particularly on major routes within a 10-25km radius of Mokopane, have been a concern for the Mogalakwena municipality.

The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), in conjunction with the Limpopo Provincial government and Mogalakwena Municipality, will improve N11 road, which runs from Mokopane to Lephalale. This was confirmed by SANRAL board members during the meeting held recently at Mogalakwena Municipality’s Council Chambers, recently.

The concept of upgrading the N11 road will start from Mokopane until Grootsun River, 4km from Ga-Machikiri village in Mapela.

Upgrading of the road will include, amongst others, storm water drainage system for flooding, fencing to prevent stray animals passing, the closure of unsafe and illegal accesses and improved sight distances. Three bridges along the road will be demolished to allow the upgrading.  The electrical poles along the road will be removed during the upgrading process, but the villages affected not encounter power or electrical interruption. However, those residing along the road will be relocated and compensated by SANRAL.

Mogalakwena municipality Mayor Cllr Andrina Matsemela said, “We thank SANRAL for finally heeding to our call and welcome this project which will cost SANRAL approximately 400 million to complete and the project will commence sometime in June 2017. According to SANRAL’s presentation the reconstruction of about 45 kilometers will be completed in 36 months, as Council we are hopeful that Small and Medium Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) and the local communities stand a chance to benefit from this project as it will create job opportunities.”

Matsemala said: “A number of people were killed on this road and many more seriously injured during the last five years. Early this year, there was a horrific accident when a truck and mini bus collided and number of people were killed.”

“We are aware of the road accidents which occur on the N11 and R518, mainly during the weekends. We humbly appeal to the road users, particularly our youth to refrain from driving under the influence of alcohol and also to avoid driving at a high speed,” said Mayor Matsemela.

“We further appeal to the livestock owners to take good care of them and also collect the reflective neck belts at the Transport Department offices. Road users must always be on a high alert when they travel of the mentioned roads as recently we are encountering more accidents on our roads due to increased traffic volume,” Mayor Matsemela advised.

Matsemela added that the road is used by approximately over 50 000 commuters’ daily, using buses, trucks and taxis, plus private cars.

“Improving the N11 is part of a more comprehensive approach to save lives and make life easier for commuters, connect nearby rural villages to such an important artery and improve the economy of the region,” Matsemela said.

“In advance, we apologize for any inconvenience which will be caused during construction and the inevitable time delays but believe that on completion, the road will be safer and ensure a better and uninterrupted journey to the road user. It is only with the co-operation of the public that this project will be completed safely and be to the benefit of road users,” Matsemela signed off.