Major N1N4 Roadworks Announced: What Drivers Between Pretoria and Limpopo Need to Know

Motorists travelling between Pretoria and Limpopo and those heading toward the Botswana border should brace themselves for long-term road disruptions. Bakwena, the concessionaire managing the N1N4 route, has announced two major rehabilitation projects worth over R600 million aimed at improving safety and driving conditions.

While these upgrades promise smoother travel in the future, they also mean drivers will be facing lane closures, reduced capacity, and stop/go systems for the next two years.

First Project: Pretoria Section Under Construction

The first project focuses on the N1 stretch from Proefplaas Interchange to Pumulani Main Line Plaza.

• Timeline: 15 months

• Kickoff: August 2025 (mobilisation phase), full construction starts 1 October 2025

• Completion: November 2026

• Value: R276 million

• Contractor: Roadmac Surfacing

Work will involve full pavement reconstruction, crack sealing, and overlaying of the carriageway. Lane closures are expected both day and night, but Bakwena has promised that all lanes will remain open during peak hours – southbound mornings (5:30am–9:30am) and northbound afternoons (3pm–6:30pm). Outside those hours, one lane per direction will be closed.

Second Project: Longer Disruptions Expected

The second rehabilitation project is even bigger:

• Timeline: 21 months

• Site Establishment: September–December 2025

• Construction: January 2026 to June 2027

• Value: R324 million

• Contractor: Roadmac Surfacing

This section will undergo full-depth reconstruction, crack sealing, and overlaying. The scale of work means traffic capacity will be heavily reduced, with stop/go systems controlling lane closures of up to 5km in each direction. Motorists should expect delays and plan their trips accordingly.

Local Reaction: Patience vs. Frustration

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions. Regular commuters between Gauteng, Limpopo, and Botswana welcomed the long-overdue upgrades, recalling how potholes and uneven surfaces on this vital corridor have made travel risky. But on social media, many drivers voiced concerns about the timing, with peak holiday traffic in December likely to test patience levels.

Truck drivers, who rely on the N1N4 for freight to and from the Beitbridge and Skilpadshek border posts, have already warned that delays could mean longer delivery times.

Bakwena Calls for Cooperation

Bakwena COO Solly Kganyago acknowledged the inconvenience but urged road users to see the bigger picture.

“We thank our communities and motorists for their patience and cooperation as we undertake these vital improvements to ensure safer and more efficient travel,” he said.

The N1N4 isn’t just another highway, it’s a lifeline route linking Pretoria to Limpopo, and stretching all the way to Botswana. With heavy freight traffic, cross-border travel, and holidaymakers flocking north, these upgrades could not come at a better time. But the next two years will test patience, as South Africans endure short-term pain for long-term gain.