“This is good news. Sanral can now get on with its business to build, maintain and improve South Africa’s national road network,” said the agency’s CEO Nazir Alli.
He said the agency could now service the debt it had incurred to upgrade the road.
“The tolling system is up and running at the moment and we therefore expect a smooth beginning to actually collecting tolls on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP). It is important to note that of the more than 700 000 kilometres of roads in the country, only 19 704 are part of the national network and thus Sanral’s responsibility,” said Alli.
He added that, “Of the latter, only 16 percent are tolled – some 3 120 kilometres. Of the tolled roads, only 201 kilometres form part of the GFIP. The figures are important to keep a proper perspective.”
Further encouraging motorists to buy e-tags, Alli said, “It is the right thing to do and also easier and cheaper than using the roads without a tag.”
