By: Lerato Mutlanyane

Construction has officially commenced on the long-anticipated road development projects in Mangaung, marking a significant step toward improving local infrastructure and easing traffic congestion.

The projects, led by the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality’s Infrastructure Services Department, aim to upgrade key transport routes, enhance road safety, and create job opportunities for the surrounding communities during their implementation.

Director of Infrastructure Services Councillor Vusi Soqaga says the 17 contractors have been appointed to tackle minor maintenance across the metro and calls for patience from motorists.

“We have started with several rehabilitation projects in the metro. These projects will, for some time, cause an interruption in the flow of traffic. We call on motorists to exercise patience on the road. It is our responsibility to get the city working and being attractive for investors,” said Soqaga.

He said other big roads in Bloemfontein that require revamping and maintenance, such as the Dr Belcher Road, will be attended to.

“Conditional assessment informs the prioritisation of the sections that must be attended, and Dr. Belcher will be attended to following this principle because we are operating within stringent resources,” he said.

The City, in partnership with the Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport, has implemented a major R202 million rehabilitation construction of the N8 road entering the city’s Central Business District (CBD).

According to the departmental spokesperson, Hillary Mophethe, the construction has a set completion date of April 2026.

“The completion of the construction on the N8 road is expected in April next year, with a target of 3500 job opportunities created from all projects in the province combined. Commuters within the province will finally be brought relief,” said Mophethe.

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