Tolled freeways to begin next year

Billions of rands are being invested by the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) in its drive to upgrade and improve critical road networks in the country, and especially Gauteng. Tasked with the design, funding, maintenance, operation and rehabilitation of South Africa’s tolled and non-tolled national roads, much of the improvement is taking place on roads in Gauteng, the nation’s commercial and industrial capital. Having raised debt finance of R4.6 billion in 2008, a further R25 billion is needed for its freeway construction projects over the next two years. Of the total money raised, it is expected that the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) will absorb about R20-billion. A spokesman for Sanral said that work was proceeding on schedule despite inclement weather conditions during the past few months. Road users in and around Gauteng have also by and large responded well to the ongoing roadworks. “We are confident that the ultimate result will be worth the wait,” said the spokesman. Sanral chief executive officer Nazir Alli said all was on track to raise the necessary funds needed to undertake its programmes, which would see most of the civil works completed by October 2010. “Economic conditions are certainly tougher than they were when we began issuing debt to finance the major projects now under way. However, indications are that investors will continue to be assured by our good market ratings and track record of efficiently maintaining the network and settling debt,” said Alli. Post October 2010, the freeways making up the GFIP will be operated on the “user-pays principle.” An Open Road tolling system will be used, requiring each vehicle to carry an electronic tag that will automatically trigger the electronic tolling system housed in 38 overhead gantries set about 10km apart across the Gauteng freeway system. Various options for billing the toll fees to motorists are still being considered. These could include linking tags to bank accounts, systems to recharge tags at retail outlets or internet-based products. Although the GFIP is Sanral’s main focus, the capital investment programme will also see improvements being made to the N2 Tsitsikamma Toll Road, the N17 East Toll Road Extension, the N1 South and R30 Bloemfontein-Kroonstad road. Other roads affected include the N1 Polokwane Bypass, the Marianhill Extension near Durban and the Dube Trade Port Interchange that will serve the new King Shaka International Airport on the KwaZulu Natal North Coast.