Major resurfacing work under way on R31 to tackle potholes and safety risks
The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has begun resurfacing a 30km stretch of the R31 between Delportshoop and Barkly West in the Northern Cape. The agency says the project will cost close to R120 million and is currently in the mobilisation phase, with construction due for completion by February 2028.
SANRAL’s Project Manager for the Northern Cape, Elethu Zembe, described the works as primarily periodic maintenance. The programme includes repairing drainage structures, erecting road signs, guardrails and fencing, fixing rest areas, pretreating potholes, cracks and pavements, and resurfacing the carriageway with a 20mm/7mm double seal. The final phase will see the replacement of road markings and studs.
The R31 corridor has been highlighted previously by parliamentary oversight bodies as a priority. In 2021, the Select Committees on Trade and Industry and Transport, Public Works and Infrastructure warned that the deteriorating condition of the route presented a serious risk to motorists and hampered economic growth in the province.
“The state of the road and large potholes is appalling and is an inhibitor to economic growth, which will undermine the drive to reduce unemployment and enhance economic recovery.” — Kenneth Mmoiemang, then Chairperson of the Select Committee on Transport, Public Works and Infrastructure (2021)
SANRAL has emphasised that the current work on the R31 is part of a wider investment into the province’s road network. The roads agency said it has injected more than R1 billion into ongoing construction projects in the Northern Cape and is responsible for maintaining a network totalling 4,472km of provincial roads. SANRAL’s provincial office for the Northern Cape is now based in Kimberley.
| Road | Work | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|
| R31 (Delportshoop–Barkly West) | Resurfacing, drainage, signage, guardrails | R120 million |
| R27 (Brandvlei–Kenhardt) | Resurfacing | R224 million |
| N12 (Strydenburg–Hopetown) | Resurfacing | R206 million |
Local impact: safety and the economy
For towns along the R31 corridor, including Delportshoop and Barkly West, improved road surface and drainage are expected to reduce vehicle damage, lower travel times and enhance safety for heavy vehicles that use the route to access northern mineral and agricultural areas.
Road condition has been cited repeatedly as a barrier to economic activity in the Northern Cape. Large potholes and failing pavements increase vehicle operating costs and can deter commercial traffic—factors that local business leaders and municipal representatives have linked to slower investment and employment growth.
SANRAL said the resurfacing work includes measures intended to prolong the service life of the road, such as pretreatment of cracks and pavements before the double seal is applied. These preventive steps are designed to limit the need for frequent repairs.
- Project length: 30km
- Planned completion: February 2028
- Main activities: drainage repairs, signage, guardrails, fencing, rest-area repairs, pretreatment and resurfacing
What road users should expect
During the mobilisation and construction phases, SANRAL typically implements temporary traffic management measures. Road users can expect reduced speed limits in work zones, lane closures and the presence of heavy plant and construction crews. Motorists are advised to obey temporary signage and to allow extra travel time while work is under way.
The agency has not specified a detailed phasing plan for the R31 resurfacing in the statements released so far. Local municipalities and emergency services will remain responsible for incident response during construction, with SANRAL coordinating major works and traffic management on the national route.
For residents and businesses dependent on the R31, the investment is a long-awaited intervention. SANRAL’s broader uploads of provincial roads to its network, and the opening of regional offices in each province, are part of a national effort to centralise maintenance and address long-standing backlogs.
As works progress, SANRAL will be expected to publish more detailed traffic management plans and timelines for specific sections. Road users and affected communities should monitor notices from SANRAL and local municipalities for updates and safety information.
Reporting provided to WE NEWS’s Northern Cape correspondent contains the project details and cost estimates quoted above.
