Toll fee reinstatement causes a stir – and confusion

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19-01-2023
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North Coast Courier
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When the Courier visited the uThongathi bridge on the M4 on Monday, there was absolutely no sign of any construction workers or work being done to suggest the reopening of the bridge could be regarded as "imminent".

The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) caused an outcry last Thursday when it announced the reinstatement of toll fees at the Uthongathi and Umvoti toll plazas.

While Sanral is yet to provide more information, toll fees on most ramps at these plazas will be payable from February 1.

Sanral Eastern Region manager Dumisani Nkabinde said the collection of toll fees would resume at the uThongati mainline and north ramps and Umvoti mainline.

Fees on the uThongati south ramps remain suspended until access along the M4 uThongati River bridge has been restored.

It appears that the ‘alternative route’ provided is for motorists from Ballito to drive to Tongaat via the R102 and from there cross over to the M4 on the southside of the bridge via the Watson Highway, (M43), making it possible to reach Durban without paying tolls.

Toll fees were suspended in April last year last year after the devastating floods severely damaged the R102 and M4 roads and bridges, compelling motorists to reroute through the toll gates.

“Our contractors have been working around the clock to repair damaged infrastructure and restore access to the R102 and M4. Both these roads are now fully open to traffic and access to the uThongathi River bridge is imminent,” said Nkabinde.

But when the Courier visited the uThongathi bridge on the M4 on Monday, there was absolutely no sign of any construction workers or work being done to suggest the reopening of the bridge could be regarded as “imminent”.

iLembe Chamber of Commerce CEO, Cobus Oelofse, said the chamber would continue to campaign for the fastracking of repairs on the M4 and N2 Umhlali bridges.

“Following on from discussions with Sanral, it is understood that the intention to recommence the collection of tolls will be preceded by a notice in the Government Gazette in which the public will be invited to make submissions. Considering the lack of progress regarding repairs to the M4 bridge, the business community trust that the levying of toll fees will remain suspended until such time that alternative routes are fully accessible,” said Oelofse.

Vice chairperson of the LaMercy Civic and Ratepayers Association, Tashya Giyapersad, said they are very unhappy with the announcement and would be writing to the minister, to voice out their concerns.

“The bridge in La Mercy was not properly repaired and it was done as a temporary measure. If they start collecting toll fees, this will mean more traffic flowing on the M4, on the bridge that is already a safety hazard. Why don’t they finish all the bridges that needs to be repaired and then open the tolls?” said Giyapersad.

Sanral said contracts for the rehabilitation of the M4 bridge and N2 Umhlali River bridge would be awarded later this month.

“Tender evaluations were completed in December and we have submitted the memo to the Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC) for approval. BAC has informed us that the awards are waiting for proactive assurance before they can be finalised. Construction is expected to take four months on the N2 Umhlali River bridge and two months on the (M4) uThongathi River bridge,” said Zumani.