The need to upgrade this important transport route from Witbank to Maputo was identified as a key element of the MCDI. The objective of both Governments (South Africa and Mozambique) to introduce private sector funding of the national road network has led to the development of the Project on a Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.

The Implementing Authority (a joint body set up by both Governments) issued the invitation to tender in March 1996, through the Department of Transport’s Chief Directorate: Roads in South Africa and the ANE (transport authority) in Mozambique. It required respondents to submit detailed proposals relating to technical, commercial, financial, empowerment and other aspects of the Project.
Three short-listed consortia submitted initial bids in June 1996.

Following a detailed process of evaluation, the Implementing Authority announced in August 1996 that TRAC had been selected as one of two consortia to enter into negotiations. Best and final offers were submitted on 13 November 1996. TRAC was announced as the preferred tenderer and was invited to negotiate the concession contract with the Implementing Authority on 5 December 1996.

On the 5th May 1997, the Concession Contract for the Maputo Corridor Toll Road Project was signed between the Republic of Mozambique, the Republic of South Africa, the South African Roads Board and Trans African Concessions (Pty) Ltd.

The Concession Contract is for the design, construction, rehabilitation, financing, operation, maintenance and future expansion of a portion of National Route 4 from west of Witbank in South Africa to Maputo in Mozambique as a toll road, together with the construction of 5 toll plazas and other facilities along the route.

The contract is worth R3bn (1996) over thirty years with a total of R1.5bn allocated over the initial three and a half years.

During 2004 an additional contract was signed adding the section of the N4 from Balmoral to the Hans Strydom off-ramp in Pretoria to TRAC’S responsibilities. It included the Diamond Hill Toll Plaza as well as eight ramp plazas.