Sanral names Western Cape toll bidder

Sanral has named its preferred bidder for the N1-N2 Winelands highway toll project, despite a legal challenge by Cape Town city over the project.

The SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said on Tuesday it had selected Protea Parkways Consortium (PPC) as the preferred bidder. It estimated the project would cost around R10 billion.

The city has applied to the Cape High Court to declare whether there was a dispute with Sanral over the introduction of the toll road.

Sanral intended starting construction of proposed toll roads on the N1 and N2 in February. In a statement the agency said the PPC Consortium comprised a variety of private investors and partners to the South African government and included a team of "highly qualified contractors".

"The estimated project cost as proposed by the preferred bidder is in the order of R10 billion," Sanral said.

Construction of the 175km project would take around three years.

"The N1/N2 Winelands toll project will increase road capacity, improve safety and offer cost savings in terms of lower vehicle running costs and less time spent on the road," Sanral said.

The city was however concerned about the socio-economic impact tolling would have on Cape Town and issued papers applying for an interdict preventing Sanral from taking further steps.

The city had declared a dispute with the department of transport, but Sanral denied that a dispute existed.

If there was not a dispute the city would take the decision of the ministers of environmental affairs and transport on the toll roads on review.

The city said disadvantaged communities would be particularly affected by the tolls. It also believed the impact had not been adequately assessed.

The matter would be heard in the Cape High Court on December 6.