South African construction company Murray & Roberts has been awarded a 22-month contract by Trans African Concessions (TRAC) to upgrade the 570 km-long N4 toll road connecting South Africa and Mozambique. The N4 toll road extends from the Solomon Mahlangu off ramp near Pretoria to Port Maputo in Mozambique, and includes six toll plazas.
According to project officials, the construction company would focus on developing the section of the road near Middleburg, east of the Rockdale Interchange and ending west of the Arnot interchange. The carrying capacity of the 18 km section of the toll road would be increased by constructing a new double-lane eastbound carriageway with associated infrastructure.
Derek Brink, project manager at Murray & Roberts said, “The new dual carriageway will be built in an easterly direction. Upon completion of the new carriageway, the existing westbound carriageway will be converted into a three-lane carriageway.”
The carriageway would be made on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis, and owned jointly by South Africa and Mozambique. Once TRAC’s concession ends in 2027, the two countries have agreed to assume responsibility of the road and its maintenance, added officials.
In addition to developing the double lane carriageway, the contract includes the construction of a new bridge, the extension of an existing bridge, minor rehabilitation to existing bridges and construction of six large onsite culverts and associated drainage works. The entire project is likely to be completed in 2016.
http://www.africanreview.com/construction-a-mining/roads/murray-roberts-to-upgrade-highway-connecting-south-africa-and-mozambique
