POLOKWANE – Limpopo Provincial Government’s plans are afoot to construct a new road leading to the St Engenas Zion Christian Church at Boyne in Moria, which will bring even more relief for motorists, pedestrians and pilgrims who use the R71.
Representatives of the Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) and the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) signed a Memorandum of Agreement on August 19, consenting to the interchange of the R71 and D4020.
The road has not been named yet.
“The road interchange will connect traffic to the R71 and D4020 leading to St Engenas ZCC and surrounding villages. The R71 is managed and owned by Sanral whereas the D4020 falls under RAL.
The implementation of the project is planned to start in the 2023/24 financial year for a period of 15 months,” RAL spokesperson Luyanda Sithole remarked.
Premier Stanley Chupu Mathabatha who led the engagement between the two entities, expressed delight at the advantages associated with the project, highlighting how the surrounding communities will benefit. He also said the project will demonstrate the provincial government’s commitment to change people’s lives through infrastructure delivery.
“The R71 is one of the busiest roads in the province as it links communities to many economic centres in the province. The completion of the project will significantly reduce road accidents and create job opportunities for our communities.”
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Speaking on behalf of the St. Engenas ZCC, Piet Lekganyane, assured both RAL and Sanral of the church’s unwavering support to ensure successful completion of the project.
“The construction of the interchange will go a long way to facilitate the safe movement of traffic next to and into the Holy City which we have been grappling with for a long time,” Lekganyane added.
A number of other officials attended the event including Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure MEC, Nkakareng Rakgoale, Treasury MEC, Seaparo Sekoati, RAL Board of Directors chairperson Matome Ralebipi, RAL CEO Gabriel Maluleke and Themba Mhambi, the chairperson of the Sanral Board.