Road freight operators can expect immediate maintenance on more than 3 000 km of provincial roads recently transferred to the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), while larger rehabilitation projects will depend on future funding from the National Treasury.
SANRAL media relations manager Lwando Mahlasela told Freight News the agency had begun routine maintenance using its existing non-toll road maintenance budget, with the initial focus on improving road safety and drivability.
The first phase includes pothole repairs, drainage maintenance, vegetation control, guardrail repairs and the replacement of road signs.
"We will then assess the condition of each route and conduct traffic counts before developing maintenance and rehabilitation plans," said Mahlasela.
He said preventive maintenance, including resealing, would be prioritised during the current Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) period to prevent further deterioration of the network.
More extensive rehabilitation, including pavement strengthening and capacity upgrades on key freight routes, will only proceed once detailed condition assessments have been completed and additional funding has been secured through the National Treasury budget process.
"Basic drivability and safety are being addressed immediately. Resurfacing and resealing form part of a one- to three-year programme," said Mahlasela.
Major capital projects remain in the planning phase and are targeted for the 2026/27 to 2028/29 budget period and beyond, subject to Treasury funding.
The transferred network includes strategic provincial roads in several provinces. In the Free State, SANRAL has taken over more than 1 200 km of roads, including sections of the R26, R30, R34, R74, R700 and R710. In the Eastern Cape, about 319 km of roads transferred to the agency include the R411 between Viedgesville and Coffee Bay and the Maluti-Qacha's Nek route to the Lesotho border.
SANRAL is also overhauling its procurement processes to accelerate project delivery. The agency is introducing a two-stage tender review process, establishing standing bid committees with 12-month terms, and expanding assurance measures for qualifying tenders to reduce procurement disputes and delays.
The agency assumed responsibility for 3 099 km of provincial roads during the 2024/25 financial year. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has previously cautioned that many of the roads were transferred in poor condition and without dedicated funding, making additional Treasury support critical for long-term rehabilitation.
