TNPA Reports 75% Completion of R20m Newark Road Upgrade at Port of Richards Bay

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16-09-2025
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Central News
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Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has reported major progress in the upgrade of Newark Road, one of the Port of Richards Bay’s most critical access routes, with 75% of works completed.

This key project, worth about R20 million, is set to wrap up by December 2025 and is part of TNPA’s push to modernise port setups. It aims to make cargo movement safer and smoother for everyone using the port. Since kicking off in May 2025, workers have already fixed up around one kilometre of the road. The Port of Richards Bay, tucked in northern KwaZulu-Natal, stands as South Africa’s top port for cargo volumes, handling over 100 million tonnes a year. It is the biggest port by size and plays a huge role in the economy, shipping out coal, minerals, and other bulk goods to the world.

A Vital Lifeline for Port Operations

Newark Road is no small path—it sees about 67 289 light vehicles and 35 000 heavy trucks each month. These include cars from workers and families, plus massive haulers carrying coal from nearby mines or goods to storage yards. Any snag here can slow down the whole port, costing time and money for businesses that rely on quick turnaround.

The upgrade tackles wear and tear from years of heavy use. Teams are resurfacing the concrete, fixing cracks, and adding better drainage to handle heavy rains common in the region. This is phase one of a bigger plan that also covers Urania Road and Ventura Road, all within the port grounds. The full rehab is meant to last 18 months, but Newark’s section is moving fast thanks to good planning and on-site checks.

A site meeting happened on 8 September 2025 at the Employee Care Centre on Ventura Road, where contractors, engineers, and TNPA staff hashed out progress. They looked at safety measures and timelines to keep things on track. Early bids for the work went out in June 2025, with TNPA picking a firm to handle the concrete upgrades. This investment fits into wider efforts, like a US$15 million push for a new container terminal announced in May 2025, to grow the port’s reach into more markets.

Keeping Traffic Flowing During the Works

To avoid chaos, TNPA closed Newark Road fully for safety, but they rolled out a smart traffic plan with other ways in and out. Light vehicles, like those from office staff or visitors, now enter via Urania Road near the Pioneer Centre and leave through the San Thom Road Gate. This reroute keeps daily commuters moving without long waits.

For heavy vehicles—the big rigs that do the heavy lifting—access is through the West Gate on Urania Road. They head to terminals along Clinker Road and exit via the East Gate on Newark Road. Signs, barriers, and extra patrols guide everyone, cutting down on mix-ups. The Bayvue port entrance stays shut during repairs, pushing all traffic to these paths.

Port Manager Captain Dennis Mqadi stressed the teamwork. “This strategic investment will ensure that the Port of Richards Bay continues to operate as a world-class logistics hub. We will continue to engage with port users on these project developments to ensure smooth transition both now and when the road upgrades are completed this festive season,” he said.

These steps show TNPA’s focus on smooth ops. The port has 13 deep-water berths for massive ships, making it a go-to spot for bulk cargo like iron ore, wood chips, and chemicals. Delays from bad roads could ripple out, hitting jobs in mining towns nearby and even global supply chains. By chatting with truckers, shippers, and locals, TNPA keeps everyone in the loop, from updates on apps to on-site briefings.

Why the Port Matters to South Africa

The Port of Richards Bay is more than just a dock—it’s a powerhouse for trade. Built in the 1970s mainly for coal exports, it has grown into South Africa’s premier bulk port. It handles dry bulk like grains and fertilisers too, plus some liquids. Its spot on the Indian Ocean coast links the country to Asia, Europe, and beyond, boosting exports that bring in billions of rands.

In KwaZulu-Natal’s uMhlathuze area, the port supports thousands of jobs, from dock workers to engineers. It sits next to the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone, drawing factories and storage hubs. Upgrades like Newark Road help handle rising traffic—cargo volumes hit record highs last year, with coal alone making up over half.

TNPA runs the port as a landlord, owning the land and basics while private firms operate terminals. This setup follows the National Ports Act of 2005, which sets rules for fair play and growth. The authority oversees eight commercial ports: Richards Bay, Durban, Saldanha, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, East London, Mossel Bay, and Ngqura. Each gets tailored fixes to stay competitive.

Challenges like old infrastructure and weather hits have slowed things before, but projects like this show commitment to change. A 2022 Port Development Framework Plan outlines long-term goals, including better roads and green tech to cut emissions. With Newark Road nearly done, the port is set to shine brighter, easing bottlenecks and drawing more business.