The first of two contracts that will see the rehabilitation of the N8 highway between Bloemfontein and Thaba Nchu is due for completion in June, the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) revealed on Thursday.
Sanral embarked on the two-contract upgrade owing to a significant increase in the use of the highway. This had impacted heavily on the existing pavement layers and surfacing on certain sections that had reached their serviceable life span.
“The rehabilitation and upgrading will result in a road of higher standards, both in terms of alignment and capacity. It will also result in higher mobility, lower driver stress and safer travel,” said Sanral eastern region project manager Jason Lowe.
“There will be less chances of flooding of the roadway due to reconstruction of bridges over major rivers at a higher level,” added Lowe.
Sanral further mentioned that the two N8 projects also promoted transformation, job creation and economic inclusion in the area.
A total of 332 people were currently employed and 28 local individuals had been trained in skills they would be able to use in future. Further, 143 small businesses had been contracted and now had an opportunity to raise their profiles.
