National road infrastructure damages in the Eastern Cape due to rain

MEDIA RELEASE
issued by
THE SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL ROADS AGENCY LTD
22 October 2012
NATIONAL ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGES IN THE EASTERN CAPE DUE TO RAIN

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) wishes to advise road users of the following road updates:

During the recent prolonged and heavy rains in the Eastern Cape, severe damage has occurred on both the N2 and R72 routes, linking Port Elizabeth and East London.

On the N2 the failure of an embankment has left a 45 metre gap in the road, cutting off access between Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth. The road has subsequently been closed for traffic. SANRAL is currently assessing the cause of this failure, how it should be repaired, timeframes, and sources of material to replace the failure and will then engage with contractors to execute the work.

SANRAL is also investigating the repair to gravel roads as alternative routes around this closure to allow light vehicles a more direct route, as the full embankment repair is expected to continue into 2013.

Alternative routes for the N2 are via the R343, leading off the N2 about 10km west of Grahamstown to Kenton-on-Sea and then via the R72 to Port Elizabeth. A much longer alternative from Grahamstown via the R350 to Bedford, Cookhouse and the N10 to Port Elizabeth, is also available.

On the N2, between Peddie and Kind Williams Town, where flood closures were in place, the whole route is open to traffic.

On the N2 Port Elizabeth bypass, one lane of the freeway is closed to traffic at the Standford Road interchange, which will have a significant impact on peak hour traffic.

On the R72, damages have occurred at two places which have resulted in half the road being closed in places with stop / go controls, but could be completely closed due to ongoing flood damages. The route between Port Elizabeth and East London would the be via the R63 and the N10. Road users should turn onto the R63 just outside King Williams Town and continue through Fort Beaufort and Bedford to the N10 near Cookhouse and then continue with the N10 past Paterson to Nanaga to join the N2 to Port Elizabeth. This is the recommended route for all heavy vehicles travelling between Port Elizabeth and East London.

Road users are requested to exercise extreme caution on all roads as the prolonged rains have increased the rate of pothole development. SANRAL thanks road users for their patience and apologises for any inconvenience caused.

Issued by the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited
Email: pressoffice@nra.co.za