The end to the chaotic backlog on the N4, which resulted from roadworks along the road, is in sight.
The Malelane Community Policing Forum (CPF) had released a statement on Tuesday afternoon, August 29, saying that the N4 heading to and from Malalane had turned into a traffic-related catastrophe.
TRAC is currently in the process of upgrading the road between the Kaalrug intersection and the Malelane Gate, which will see the section upgraded to a undivided four-lane road with consolidated accesses and new access roads once completed. TRAC said in a statement that the upgrade will also entail the construction of a new underpass bridge between Kaalrug and Malalane.
The CPF’s chairperson, Mel Preddy, said the traffic delays had massive economic impacts on Malalane businesses, as well as the people who were stuck in traffic for up to six hours. He said this included schoolchildren who had to be fetched by people in the community via backroads and side roads. He added that businesses dependent on raw materials and agricultural produce have had to stop operations due to the backlog, and that some motorists were not obeying the rules of the road and putting others at risk.
Preddy said as of Wednesday morning, August 30, traffic management officials had been on duty at all the critical junctions around Malalane, and traffic was flowing, albeit with queues. He said the N4 and Jeppes Reef roads were also being patrolled for transgressors. He anticipated that the backlog would lessen in the days to come.
TRAC’s Solange Soares said in a statement released on Wednesday morning, August 30 that although it was inevitable that road construction initiatives impacted traffic, TRAC consistently aims to plan projects in such a way as to limit this impact for road users.
“The current works within Malalane require the existing road to be rehabilitated, which requires lane closures, and despite traffic accommodation measures not being implemented in a bid to prevent backlogs, delays were nevertheless experienced recently, of which TRAC has taken cognisance,” she said.
She said the public’s concerns have been noted, and mitigative measures were being considered by TRAC and the contractor, Raubex. These include the decision to implement alternative roadworks as far as possible and during night time, when traffic volumes are at their lowest.
Soares said this will ensure that delays, as experienced on the Tuesday, will not be encountered again.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused and trust that these alternative construction methods will significantly improve traffic flow during the course of the project.”
August 29 @ 22:11: Motorists urged to be cautious and patient amid N4 chaos near Malalane
The Malelane Community Policing Forum (CPF) urged motorists to drive with caution and obey the rules of the road following a backlog in traffic on the N4 near Malalane.
The plea comes from a statement issued by the CPF on Tuesday August 29.
“The traffic-related catastrophe experienced during the roadworks on the N4 in Malalane today has been escalated to every available level for intervention,” said the statement.
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“The authorities and contractors are taking the situation seriously, and we expect that an alternative way of working will be implemented after today. This will be announced once agreed upon and finalised.”
It said the queues of traffic on the N4 leading to and from Malalane are still long. It added that businesses dependent on raw materials and agricultural produce have had to stop operations due to the backlog.
It said schoolchildren and other passengers were trapped on buses for five hours and more, and were exposed to the extreme dangers of reckless drivers speeding into oncoming traffic, not to mention having to go without water or other provisions.
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“Those still on the road should take extreme care and drive in a responsible manner, even in the face of the challenges posed today. Rather late and alive than injured.
“There is unfortunately no guarantee of effective law enforcement at this hour, other than the point duty being done at the intersections in Malalane. The authorities are simply unprepared for a disaster of this scale and spread over the distances involved. However, please refrain from taking the law into your own hands, regardless of how much a specific driver needs a firm hand applied.”
The Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison’s spokesperson, Moeti Mmusi, said that while the department was aware that construction is taking place on that stretch of the N4, it is unaware of the challenges road users faced today.
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“We are appealing to the public to obey the rules of the road, even in the face of the delays, and we hope that TRAC and other stakeholders find a way to better manage the situation.
“Please be patient on the road and do not endanger the lives of others,” he said.
Mmusi added that traffic officers will be on the road to try and ease congestion and any risks resulting in the backlog.
TRAC’s Solange Soares said it was looking into the matter and would issue a statement soon.
Meanwhile, the CPF’s Mel Preddy reported that as of 21:26 on Tuesday evening, traffic was at a complete standstill following an accident that was blocking all but one lane just outside of the roadworks zone at Jeppes Reef/the N4 bridge.
There are no reported injuries and reportedly only one person to regulate traffic. He said the westbound queue extends from the Impala Station to Malalane.
