ROUTE UPDATE
SEPTEMBER 2009

KEEP N4 EMERGENCY NUMBER FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY

While veld fires remain a threat during the current dry weather, road users are also warned that the first summer rains may cause hazardous conditions on the road. Exercise caution during difficult driving conditions and adopt defensive driving techniques when visibility is poor.

TRAC’S ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE ALWAYS ON STAND-BY

Trans African Concessions, the toll concessionaire operating the N4 Toll Route, offers a value added emergency, breakdown and rescue service, TRACassist, on the N4 between Pretoria and Komatipoort.

More than 1000 road users needed help

TRACassist provided roadside assistance to 1307 road users between January and August 2009. The majority needed help with mechanical problems and flat tyres. Help was also needed to remove broken down vehicles from the road, and to provide fuel.

TRACassist is available 24/7 to anyone experiencing an emergency along the route. The TRACassist team will come to your rescue when you need it most, and will remain with you until your vehicle can move again, or has been towed away. The based call-out and support service is offered as a free service. Should other independent service providers be required to provide more specialised services, those providers will charge for their service.

Call TRACassist during emergencies, when in distress, or to report hazardous incidents, stray animals and veld fires: 0800 TRAC N4 (0800 8722 64)

The main causes of accidents for 2009 (up to date) are:
 Negligent driving
 Speeding
 Blow-out of tyres
 Mechanical failure
 Falling asleep

It is helpful to bear the above in mind and take the necessary precautionary measures to minimise the likelihood of causing an accident.

Expected peak traffic days

The following peak traffic days are expected:
 September 23, 2009
 September 27, 2009
 October 03, 2009

ROAD CONSTRUCTION

 UPGRADING
Belfast to Wonderfontein
Construction is nearing completion. Speed restrictions from 60-80km/h to 100km/h still apply along portions of this section.

Nelspruit’s Northern Bypass (Ring Road)
Primary construction of the Nelspruit Northern Bypass is underway at three sites along the 19 kilometre section.

The new N4 bypass will branch off at Mataffin (just east of Cairn, where the bridge over the railway line is currently under construction, skirt Riverside Mall, bridge the R40 and the Crocodile river and continue through to Karino where it will rejoin the N4 on the eastbound side.

On completion, the new road will ease traffic congestion through Nelspruit’s central business district and the layout around Mataffin will provide easy access to the new Mbombela stadium.

The initial phase will provide a single carriageway in both directions. At present work on the new road has little impact on N4 road users.

 REHABILITATION

Matola-Maputo
A contract was awarded to rehabilitate this section of the road. Work will take approximately 5 months to complete. Traffic delays will be experienced during this time due to the very high traffic volumes. Weekly information updates will advise about work hours and progress.

Montrose – Nelspruit
This section of road will be rehabilitated. Work is planned to commence by early 2010. The road will also be repainted to provide more traffic capacity.

SAPPI area
Rehabilitation work and an asphalt overlay are planned for the section of the N4 Toll Route near the Sappi plant in Ngodwana. Work is expected to commence at the start of 2010.

 MAINTENANCE

Middelburg to Wonderfontein
Repairs to the gravel shoulder along this section are underway and will continue for the next few months.

Schoemanskloof (De Beers Nek – N4-6Y 20.0 East)
The concrete retainer wall, damaged by a rock slide, has been repaired, but the area above the wall is still considered to be unstable. A gabion wall (wire mesh baskets filled with rocks) has now also been erected behind the concrete wall to prevent further damage should hillside collapse in the future.

Bush clearing
Bush is being cleared in the Schoemanskloof and Elandskloof (Ngodwana) areas, as well as in the section between Montrose and Nelspruit.

Road Marking
Road markings between Karino and the Nkomazi Toll Plaza are receiving a fresh coat of paint.

Issued: 21 September 2009