The final pronouncement on the funding model of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, better known as the e-tolls, is imminent, transport minister Fikile Mbalula said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Mbalula said this when he tabled the department\u2019s budget vote during a plenary of the National Assembly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have been working closely with the minister of Finance to finalise outstanding matters that will enable the final determination by Cabinet on the funding of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, better known as e-tolls.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are alive to the adverse impact the delay in making the final decision on e-tolls has on the SANRAL [South African National Roads Agency] balance sheet and its ability to raise capital for its catalytic projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a matter Cabinet has on its radar and a pronouncement will be made once the final decision has been taken,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
SANRAL allocated R76.4 billion<\/strong><\/p>\n Mbalula said, meanwhile, that the Road Transport programme facilitates activities related to the maintenance of the country\u2019s national and provincial road network.<\/p>\n \u201cAn allocation of R76.4 billion goes to the South African National Roads Agency. Transfers to SANRAL account for 33.5 percent of the department\u2019s budget over the medium term and 65.5 percent of the budget of the Road Transport programme,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Over the next three years, R45.3 billion or 59.3 percent of the allocation to SANRAL is budgeted to upgrade, strengthen and refurbish the national non\u2010toll roads network.<\/p>\n \u201cAn amount of R2.8 billion is allocated for the R573, better known as Moloto Road.<\/p>\n \u201cA budget of R3.7 billion is allocated for the N2 Wild Coast project and R2.1 billion allocated to fund reduced tariffs for the Gauteng freeway improvement project,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Reducing road fatalities<\/strong><\/p>\n Mbalula said, meanwhile, that efforts to reduce carnage on our roads by 25 percent in 2024 remain firmly on track.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have been making steady progress with the reduction of fatalities by 20.27 percent in 2019\/20, 19.73 percent in 2020\/21 and 20.02 percent in the first three quarters of the 2021\/22 financial year.\u00a0 Although the reduction is largely attributed to reduced traffic volumes due to Covid-19 restrictions, the increased visibility of our officers on the roads played a significant part,\u201d said the Minister.<\/p>\n
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