The N4 Toll Route (staring east of Pretoria and ending in Maputo, Mozambique) usually experiences high traffic volumes over long weekends and school holidays.
With schools closing on Thursday, the 23rd of September (starting again on 04 Oct) and the Innibos Arts Festival taking place in Nelspruit from 23 – 26 September, the N4 toll route is expected to be very busy on the following dates:
N4 Toll Route usually experiences high traffic volumes over long weekends and during school holidays, with the majority of traffic making use of the Middelburg and Machado Toll Plazas.
• Thursday, September 23 (direction east) between 14:00 until at least 22:00
• Friday, September 24 (direction east) between 08:00 until approximately 12:00
• Sunday, September 26 (direction west) between 12:00 until approximately 22:00
• Sunday, October 03 (direction west) between 12:00 until at least 22:00
The majority of traffic is expected to make use of the Middelburg and Machado Toll Plazas. Road users should expect delays at peak times. To avoid slow moving traffic, especially at toll plazas, it is advisable to travel outside of peak periods.
TRACassist helicopter and emergency teams on stand-by
This long weekend road users can rely on the TRACassist’s emergency helicopter to provide support to TRAC’s accident response and emergency teams on the ground. The Jet Ranger helicopter has a dedicated advance life support (ALS) paramedic on board, and can reach emergency scenes quicker to provide much needed medical interventions on accident scenes.
Regular route patrol flights are also undertaken with the helicopter, and this service helps to improve general safety on the route.
During the Innibos long weekend, and especially on peak days, the helicopter and emergency teams will be using the Middelburg Toll Plaza as its base from where an emergency rescue project will be coordinated.
The TRAC assist helicopter will be stationed in- and around Nelspruit on the Saturday of the Innibos weekend before returning to the Middelburg area on Sunday morning.
This is an attempt by TRAC and its partners to create a safer route and provide the best possible emergency response to victims of accidents.
For 24-hour help during emergencies, to get roadside assistance or for route updates, call the TRAC assist helpline: 0800 8722 64 (0800 TRAC N4).
Visitors to Nelspruit should keep eyes out for new Nelspruit Ring Road
Visitors are still taken by surprise when they travel to Nelspruit and find that the once familiar surroundings have changed.
The new Nelspruit Ring Road was opened to traffic in June this year and skirts around the busy central business district. The Ring Road has improved travelling time between Nelspruit and Malalane by almost 30 minutes. (see attached map)
Construction and maintenance work along the N4
Regular maintenance work is on-going, but should not have an impact on traffic.
Travellers should, however, take care along the following areas where road works will have an impact on traffic.
Schoemanskloof
Caution: Rock slides occur in Schoemanskloof at De Beers Nek (–N4-6Y 20.0 East).
Whilst a concrete retainer – and a gabion wall contain the majority of the rocks from spilling onto the road, preventative measures are in place to protect road users from rock slides. The eastbound slow lane (in this section) is temporarily closed to traffic. Temporary signs have been erected to guide motorists. Construction of an extra lane away from the rock face is being considered.
Elandsvalley near Ngodwana
The road surface is being re-sealed. STOP / GO controls will be in place which will slow traffic down.
Montrose to Crocodile Inn
This section will be widened and will also receive a new surface overlay. No work will be undertaken during the Innibos Arts Festival.
Mozambique
In Mozambique the EN4 is being re-surfaced between Matola Shoprite and the Maputo Plaza, and from the plaza to the traffic lights just before the roundabout near the hospital.
Expect delays caused by occasional road closures and narrowing of lane, especially between 10:00 and 15:00. TRAC will attempt to work after hours as often as possible.
Leading causes of accidents along the N4 Toll Route
1. Lost control of the vehicle
2. Nelgligent driving (including making illegal and highly dangerous U-turns)
3. Tyre blow outs
4. Speeding
TRACassist numbers for help during emergencies or for road side assistance:
South Africa: 0800 8722 64
Mozambique: +258 84 34 34 34 6 / +258 82 30 34 30 3
TRAC has already provided roadside assistance to just under 1000 road users this year.
…/ends
Issued by: Trans African Concessions
Date: September 21, 2010