To accommodate the expected surge in traffic, TRAC will ensure that all N4 toll plazas are fully staffed and will also conduct double route patrols on specific days.
In addition, its roadside assistance teams (TRACAssist) and 24-hour Helpdesk teams will be on full alert. Traffic on the N4 Route is expected to peak on December 15, 18, 22, 23, 24 and 27 and again on January 2, 8 and 9.
Double patrols will be done by TRACAssist teams on December 13 and 25 as a preventative measure to ensure traffic moves smoothly.
TRACAssist and emergency services such as the SAPS, paramedics, fire and rescue and provincial traffic will provide road standby services on peak traffic days in certain hotspots.
TRAC urges road users travelling between South Africa and Mozambique to plan their trips as delays and traffic congestion are expected near and at the Lebombo and Ressano Garcia border posts.
TRAC also reminds the public that although delays at the border impact traffic flow on the N4 Route, border clearing processes do not fall under its jurisdiction and TRAC therefore cannot be held liable for, or assist with, backlogs relating to this issue. TRAC has, however, committed to helping with certain logistical requirements that are expected to improve traffic flow during busy times.
The following border traffic management operations will come into effect on December 13:
South Africa (eastbound)
• There will be a traffic control point at Coopersdal, with an expected 30-minute delay. Please be patient and follow instructions.
• Taxis will be diverted from the N4 Toll Route to the old Komatipoort Airfield. Clearing and processing will be done at this facility, after which taxis will be escorted to the border.
• Commercial vehicles (trucks) will be redirected onto the Coopersdal Road (R582) and Strydomblok, and will be processed at KM 7. These vehicles will also be accommodated on the Komatipoort Airfield and will only be released for processing and border crossing upon instruction of the main port.
• Buses will be cleared at KM 7.
• Private vehicles will be permitted to proceed towards the border on the N4 Toll Route. These vehicles will be held at a holding area until the border post is ready to process them. They will be released in batches from the holding area for processing and border crossing upon instructions from the main port.
• To avoid unnecessary traffic on the route, road users travelling to Komatipoort, Kruger National Park or Ngwenya Lodge are advised to use the Tenbosch turn-off from where they can access the R571 to these destinations.
• Traffic headed to the Lebombo Border Post is urged not to use the R571 to jump the queue. Transgressors will be stopped and sent back by traffic authorities. Mozambique (westbound) • There will be two advance points – one at Ressano Garcia Border Post and another at Km 10.
• The main clearing position will be at KM 4. TRAC is also pleased to announce that road construction en route will be on hold during the construction sector’s annual leave period between December 16 and January 9.
However, all construction areas will still be deemed active and road users are urged to be cautious and obey the signage. According to TRAC CEO Alex van Niekerk the safety and well-being of the Maputo Corridor’s road users is TRAC’s primary concern.
“We therefore urge everyone using our beautiful route this holiday season to make full use of the TRAC Helpdesk, by calling 0800 87 22 64 or 082 881 4444 in South Africa and 800 9022 in Mozambique, for quick assistance and response to any road-related emergency, incident or issue.” TRAC further encourages road users to stay abreast of news about the route, throughout the festive season, by following it on Twitter @TRACN4route, Facebook @TRACN4 or logging onto its website www.tracn4.co.za. Road safety is our concern, celebrating life is our priority.
