Tolls double whammy put on ice for now

Gauteng is set to implement a second wave of freeway tolling, but motorists could have a bit of breathing space for now.

The Department of Transport said discussions to implement the contentious second phase of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project - that could pave the way for more roads to be tolled - had not taken place.

This follows reports that Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane revealed in response to a question from the DA last week at the provincial legislature that phase two of the project had been given the nod, and would be funded from a presidential infrastructure fund.

According to the Automobile Association, phase two of the project could result in the funding, through tolls, of the N14 Krugersdorp highway, a section of the M1 (Woodmead to Sandton), the N14 Ben Schoeman highway into Pretoria, the N3 to Heidelberg, the R59 and N12 (Nancefield to Potchefstroom) and the remaining un-tolled section of the N4 (Pretoria towards Diamond Hill).

Department of Transport spokesman Tiyani Rikhotso said yesterday that he was not aware of any decision taken to implement the project's second phase.

"We have not even started discussions around those routes [phase two]," Rikhotso said.

The second phase of the project was halted in 2011 by former transport minister Sbu Ndebele to allow a consultation process following a public outcry over the government's decision to implement e-tolls on several Gauteng freeways.

Rikhotso said that, for the second phase to be implemented, these routes would first need to be proclaimed as national roads, which would officially give the department's implementing arm - SA National Roads Agency - jurisdiction to proceed with the upgrades on the roads.

The agency's spokesman, Vusi Mona, said: "It will only be involved once the routes have been proclaimed. Currently, they do not fall under us."

An official from Mokonyane's office referred queries to Gauteng roads and transport spokes-man Octavia Mamabolo, who said the second phase of the project was not in the department's plans for its new financial year, which starts next month.

Refusing to answer specific questions, Mamabolo said, however: "It is essential that we upgrade and further extend the Gauteng freeway network for the future."

While the national and provincial transport departments appear to be giving conflicting statements on the second phase of the project, tolling on the first phase, which reportedly cost R20-billion, is set to be implemented following prolonged court battles that dragged on for months since April.

After opposition from various automobile and trade unions, including Cosatu, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe was appointed to head a cabinet steering committee to investigate viable methods to pay the R20-billion loan used to upgrade parts of the M1 and the N1 between Johannesburg and Pretoria.

A draft bill to legalise freeway tolling was referred to parliament.

Motlanthe's spokesman, Thabo Masebe, said on Friday that parliamentary processes were yet to be concluded.

In Cape Town, the SA National Roads Agency Limited notified the Cape Town city council two weeks ago that it planned to go ahead with new tolls for the N1 and N2 highways into the city.

The municipality has reportedly threatened a court battle.