With the recent announcement terminating the national state of disaster, Bakwena Platinum Corridor Concessionaire (Bakwena) urges motorists to plan their journeys in advance this Easter holiday period as busy conditions can be expected along the route.
As the custodians of the Bakwena N1N4 Platinum highway, and as part of our continued commitment to Road Safety, regular routine/preventative maintenance is carried out to keep the roads that we are responsible for in a condition that ensures the safety of all road users. Motorists are therefore advised that there will be a 5km closure of the left-hand lane on the N4 East between the Ga-Rankuwa & R80 interchanges due to the current rehabilitation contract taking place on the N4 between Ga-Rankuwa and Kameeldrift interchanges.
Bakwena spokesperson, Solomon Kganyago, says Bakwena is implementing various measures along the route and partnering with various law enforcement authorities to ensure the safety of motorists traveling the route. He encourages motorists to plan their journey ahead of time and rest every 2 hours.
Bakwena’s ongoing partnership with Motus Corporation and KIA South Africa will see an additional six patrol vehicles being deployed from Wednesday the 13th April 2022 until Tuesday 3rd May 2022 over the Easter and holiday period in April. These vehicles will assist with visible policing, crash assistance as well as support to road users who find themselves in difficulty along the route.
Being the first Easter weekend since the termination of the national state of disaster, between 2 300 and 2 800 vehicles per hour are expected to pass through Pumulani and Carousel toll plazas during peak periods, says Kganyago. Road users are encouraged to plan their journeys to avoid travelling in the peak periods. Peak periods are expected as follows: –
N1 Northbound & N4 Westbound
Thursday 14th April between 12:00 and 20:00
Friday 15th April between 06:00 and 12:00
Friday 29th April between 12:00 and 20:00
N1 Southbound & N4 Eastbound
Monday 18th April & Monday 2nd May between 12:00 and 20:00
Though the national state of disaster has ended, Bakwena would like to urge road users to please adhere to the COVID-19 preventative measures and ensure that face masks are worn when interacting at the toll plaza for both road users and staff safety. It is compulsory for toll plaza staff to wear face masks and sanitize regularly.
As the roads are expected to be busier than usual, Kganyago urges road users to take special care and apply the following safety measures when traveling:
- Ensure you get enough rest before your journey;
- Ensure your vehicle is road worthy;
- Do not drive if you’ve consumed alcohol/drugs;
- Ensure you and your passengers are buckled up;
- Stick to the speed limit;
- Maintain a safe following distance of at least 3 seconds or more;
- Do not stop in “no stopping” zones;
- Don’t text and drive, if you have to send a text ask you passenger to do it for you;
- Stop and take a break at least every 2 hours during your journey;
- Bakwena’s Customer Care number 0800 BAKWENA / 0800 2259362 is available to assist road users in the event of an emergency while travelling the N1N4 route. Use the info on the blue km board markers when reporting crashes or requesting assistance
For those traveling with e-tags, ensure your tag is topped up before your journey to minimize delays using the dedicated e-tag lanes. Registered e-tag users can pay their accounts via SANRAL Customer Service Centre, EFT, SANRAL Call Centre, at selected Checkers, Pick ‘n Pay and Shoprite stores or via the SANRAL app. For road users wanting to get an e-tag, e-tags are available at the following locations along the N1N4 route: –
- N1 Total Panorama Petroport
- N4 Doornpoort Engen One Stop
- N4 Kroondal Shell Ultra City
Eliminate your interaction with toll plaza staff by taking advantage of the special promotion Bakwena is running in partnership with N1 Total Panorama Petroport whereby you get a FREE e-tag and 10% off your sit-down meal at either Tonkawa Spur, Steers or Nando’s at the N1 Petroport bridge. Promotion is valid between 18th March and 2nd May 2022.
If you don’t already have a car seat for your child, you can pop into the Total Panorama Petroport on the N1 on Wednesday the 13th April between 08:00 and 13:00, where Bakwena in partnership with Wheel Well will have a limited number of car seats for all ages available for an affordable donation. The friendly staff from Wheel Well and Bakwena will be available to assist parents with choosing and installing the correct seat for your child.
Look out for your FREE McDonalds coffee voucher being handed out at N1 Total Panorama Petroport and Carousel, courtesy of Bakwena and McDonalds Bela Bela as part of our Stop and Take a Break Campaign.
Bakwena wishes travellers a safe and enjoyable Easter holiday break. For live traffic updates over the Easter weekend, you can follow Bakwena on twitter: @BakwenaN1N4.