Sanral reveals new planned toll roads

Mluleki Mrwebi

21 April 2013

The Democratic Alliance said at a Portfolio Committee of Transport strategic planning session last week, the CEO of the South African National Roads Agency Nazir Alli, revealed new toll-roads that the entity is considering for implementation.

These new toll-roads are in addition to N1-N2 Winelands toll road in the Western Cape, the N2 Wild Coast toll road in the Eastern Cape and e-tolls in Gauteng.

Alli revealed that as part of SANRAL’s 2012/13 Strategic Plan, Agency is considering building new toll-roads on the N3 Durban to Pietermaritzburg; on the N12 Kimberley to Johannesburg; on the N1 Ring road at Musina; on the N1 Kroonstad to Winburg; and on the N1 Botlokwa Interchange and pedestrian facilities.

DA Member of Parliament Ian Ollis said while the DA recognises the need for funding to be sought to help eliminate South Africa’s road maintenance backlog, wholesale erection of toll roads is not the solution.

Ollis added that dedicated Road Maintenance Fund - sourced primarily from the fuel levy – would ensure regular supply of funds to gradually eliminate South Africa’s road maintenance backlog.

The City of Cape Town, the Democratic Alliance and the ANC in the province have collectively vowed to fight the implementation of tolling in the province.