New section of the R72/3 between Port Alfred and Great Fish River completed

A section of the new road between Port Alfred and the Great Fish River in the Eastern Cape has been completed, the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) announced this week.

The section from Kleinemonde to the Great Fish River was opened to traffic last week, and the section from the Riet River to Kleinemonde will open this week.

Now that this section of the new construction is complete, traffic will be diverted on to completed sections of the road before the December recess. Work on the portion of the old road will then commence in early January next year.

Road users are reminded that although this is a new section of road that was opened, construction will take place close to the road. In addition to construction speed limits, there will be a solid line painted and no passing signs erected.

Road users are encouraged to exercise due care when driving on the new sections.

Sanral Southern region manager Mbulelo Peterson said roadworks and work on the new stormwater system were in progress from Atherstone Street to Gluckman Drive, between Pascoe Avenue and Marina Entrance, as well as the construction of a new sidewalk in front of Port Alfred High School.

“The resurfacing of the new roadway will start in the first quarter of 2018. All open trenches will be made safe before the contractor closes for the December recess and a maintenance team will be on standby to attend to traffic accommodation and other eventualities,” Petersen said.

The completed works will include climbing lanes to ease slow-mjoving traffic, an underground stormwater system, pavements, kerbing, traffic lights and streetlights.

“Residents of Port Alfred and motorists are requested to please be patient and aware of road signs, speed restrictions and other safety measures while construction takes place in town. Allow for extra travel time, as traffic controls will be in place,” added Peterson.

– African News Agency (ANA)