The Early Years:
Construction and Upgrades
In the initial four years, Bakwena started a series of significant construction works. These comprised the refurbishment of pre-existing roads, as well as the creation of two fresh sections for the N4. The cost of these initial endeavours was about R2.6 billion.
Bakwena: A Pioneer in Electronic Tolls Collection
Bakwena introduced the Electronic Tolls Collection (ETC) system in South Africa. This system uses e-tags to streamline toll collection.
Refinancing:
A Landmark Move
In 2009, Bakwena successfully refinanced the Bakwena N1/N4 Toll Road Project’s debt to R3.7 billion. This action was the largest refinancing of an infrastructure project ever in South Africa. The move was facilitated through the collaborative efforts of Bakwena, its shareholders, SANRAL, the Company’s lenders and transaction advisors.
Traffic Control Centres:
A Commitment to Safety
Bakwena operated two traffic control centres on behalf of SANRAL. These centres, namely the Mantsole Traffic Control Centre (MTCC) and Bapong Traffic Control Centre (BTTC), ensure that vehicles using the roads are not over-loaded and are roadworthy.
Dual Carriageways:
Enhancing Traffic Flow:
Bakwena has constructed dual carriageways in various areas along the route to accommodate increased traffic.
The Platinum Road Book: A Unique Initiative
While Pt Ops handles the routine maintenance, Bakwena is tasked with the periodic rehabilitation, based on data from a Pavement Management System, and road upgrading, including the expansion of lanes, bridges, and interchanges.