By Progress Hlahla
The R573 Moloto Road corridor, stretching 162 kilometres through Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, is a crucial artery for commuter traffic.
This busy route, often referred to as the "road of death" due to its notoriously high accident rate, serves up to 60,000 passengers traveling to and from Pretoria each day. Recognising the urgent need for intervention, the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) embarked on a significant upgrade to transform the road into a safer, more efficient corridor.
Steady progress
This upgrade is not just a road construction project; it is a comprehensive overhaul designed to enhance safety, while driving job creation, economic growth and investment. Initially a provincial responsibility, the Mpumalanga and Limpopo sections of Moloto Road were transferred to SANRAL for upgrading in July 2015, with the Gauteng section joining the network in June 2020.
The project is progressing well, with the first phase of the Limpopo and Mpumalanga sections nearing completion. In Limpopo, one section was completed in February 2024 and the 23km between Toitskraal and Marble Hall is currently under construction. The remaining portions are earmarked to be advertised this financial year. In Mpumalanga, four priority intersections are complete and a further 10 km portion is almost complete. The portion between KwaMhlanga and Enkeldoorn was recently awarded and tenders for the remaining portions in Mpumalanga are either under evaluation or awaiting tender closure.
By 2025, all new sections in these two provinces are expected to be under construction. The Gauteng section of the road is more complex and has experienced some delays with land acquisition and other challenges. Nonetheless, the award of two of the seven construction tenders for the first and second phases are imminent, and construction will commence later this year. The other phases are in various stages, with several tenders being planned for the coming financial year. The first package should be under construction in the province by the end of 2024, with the full corridor targeted for completion by the end of the 2028 financial year.
Joining science with humanity
SANRAL is prioritising safety in the design and construction of the project and it will take a significant amount of engineering knowledge and experience to get the job done. But the true beauty of the project lies in its ability to connect science and engineering with real, positive human impact. Years of knowledge and experience are being put to excellent use to deliver not just world class roads, but connecting humans to economic opportunities in a safer and more efficient way. The construction of the road will also create employment and opportunities for the development of small contractors, suppliers and other businesses.
Engineering for safety
In addition to the layout of the road, reckless driving, high traffic volumes, pedestrians and road encroachment have all contributed to the road’s poor reputation. The new design incorporates state-of-the-art safety features, including:
- Widening: The road will be widened to a dual-carriageway in significant sections, providing better traffic flow and reducing the likelihood of accidents. This means there will be two lanes in each direction, enabling more vehicles to use the road at a given time.
- Concrete barriers: Erection of median New Jersey concrete barriers to prevent overtaking and separate opposing traffic flows. This will also prevent U-turns and discourage pedestrians from trying to cross at undesignated points.
- Traffic circles: Conversion of dangerous intersections into traffic circles to slow down vehicles and calm traffic. These circles involve the use of chicanes which is key to traffic calming and ensuring that motorists navigate the roads at the right speed.
- Pedestrian and livestock safety: Construction of overhead pedestrian bridges and agricultural underpasses to ensure the safe passage of people and livestock. Bus stops and dedicated walk- and cycleways will also be built on both the rural and urban sections of the road.
- Visibility: The erection of high mast lights on the road will improve visibility at night and help reduce the number of pedestrians hit on the road, while also improving crime prevention.
Safety through technology
SANRAL uses the Road Incident Management System (RIMS) to assess and manage accidents and incidents on the road. However, it is always preferable to avoid the incidents before they happen and plans are in place to install cameras along the road and to extend the existing Freeway Management Systems (FMS) to monitor speeds and enforce traffic regulations.
Moloto Road will be a non-toll road, but the infrastructure and technology used for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) will eventually be repurposed for systems such as speed monitoring and enforcement. Charging stations for electric vehicles are also being considered.
Safety through engagement
The success of the Moloto Road upgrade relies heavily on a significant collaborative effort. SANRAL is actively engaging with local communities and authorities to address issues such as road encroachment and illegal land occupation, and to educate residents about the benefits and necessity of the project.
School children form much of the pedestrian activity on this road and public awareness campaigns and educational programmes on pedestrian road safety are essential. An effort is made to educate the community on the dangers and disadvantages of encroachment and the reasons for land acquisition. Local traders setting up businesses close to the road reserve is hazardous for pedestrians, road users, the business owners themselves and their consumers.
Economic and community impact
The Moloto Road upgrade is not just about improving safety; it’s also about fostering economic growth, transformation and community development. The project promises to generate approximately 10,000 jobs, benefiting local communities through employment and business opportunities.
SANRAL is prioritising the inclusion of youth- and women-owned businesses, as well as people with disabilities, and providing training and support to small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs). In line with SANRAL’s Transformation Policy, a minimum of 30% of the project value will be allocated to small, medium and micro enterprises SMMEs who meet the requirements.
These SMMEs perform work packages that include road building, road marking, fencing, grass cutting and earthworks. The training and skills transfer provided by SANRAL add value to the experience gained working with primary contractors and enables them to grow their business, create employment and work on future projects in the construction and related sectors.
Better roads attract new investment into local businesses, creating more commuter trips and increased traffic over time. This requires additional investment from local authorities and provincial government to develop a supporting network of access roads to prevent congestion and enable the Moloto road to be used primarily as a mobility road. The construction of access roads, often managed by local SMMEs, will facilitate better connectivity for residents and businesses.
Road users must play their part
The Moloto Development Corridor will attract new investments and broaden the economic base of the surrounding districts, drawing more economic activity into the area. If people drive at a safe speed, the new road will improve safety and reduce the number of deaths. Unfortunately, however, as the quality of the road improves, people tend to drive faster and the number of vehicles using the road increases, leading to more accidents.
Road user behaviour and law enforcement are therefore critical. SANRAL uses its resources to help educate people around safe road usage and work with metros to drive enforcement and speeding.
Opening new doors to opportunity
As one of the strategic infrastructure projects (SIPs) being undertaken by government to revive the South African economy, the Moloto Road upgrade represents more than just a physical transformation of a critical transport route; it embodies a commitment to safety, economic growth and community well-being. The upgraded Moloto Road will not only reduce fatalities and enhance connectivity between Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Gauteng, but also open new doors for economic opportunities.
The journey of transforming Moloto Road into a safer and more efficient route is an excellent example of how engineering, technology and community engagement can come together to create meaningful change for the benefit of all.
