The spokesperson of the Department of Police, Roads and Transport, Hillary Mophethe, said that reconstruction on the road has already begun after the road was closed for some time for safety precautions after claiming lives.

The project, to repair and prevent flooding in areas on the R30 road near Nyakallong and north of Allanridge towards Bothaville, is estimated to be completed by 15 March 2023. The tender was awarded to Matela Civils and Construction, who has a standing record with the department. 

Construction will include lifting and tarring the road, building an open earth drain, installing storm water pipes, reinstating road markings and signage, and installing road studs and guardrails. 

"The temporary job creation and economic relief will be a much-needed financial injection for a very impoverished community," says DA councillor at the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Jessica Nel. 

ALSO READ: Contractor yet to be appointed for the construction of #R30 

This follows after the department announced in August that they had yet to appoint a contractor for the reconstruction of the road. The road has been flooded several times during the rainy season. It is believed several drivers have lost control of their vehicles once they hit the gravel portion (on the road) at high speed, ending up submerged in the water next to the road.

The road gained traction when an Intercape bus with 83 passengers got trapped in a body of water in February this year. No injuries were reported. Later on the same day, a truck, a sedan and Range Rover were reportedly also caught in the flooding. 

ALSO READ: 15 lives lost in #R30 accidents since January

This was despite there being warning signs on the dangers of this part of the road, but it appears some drivers are not taking heed of said signs. 

OFM News was at the scene and reported that the gravel section isn’t the only issue on this road. Before one reaches Welkom on the R30, there is a body of water seeping into the road, and one can safely assume that if there is any more rainfall, that part of the road could pose a bigger threat to motorists.

ALSO READ: FS's accident-prone #R30 reinforced 

The rest of the R30 appears to be okay for one to drive on, but the OFM News team observed the disturbing speed at which some motorists drive across this stretch of road. Contractors have reinforced the road surface of the accident-prone section of the R30 road outside Allanridge in the Free State in an effort to curb further incidents.

OFM News