09 Aug 2021

Reconstruction and upgrading of A12 from Metsimotlhabe-Molepolole, including through road, will commence once funds are available, Minister of Transport and Communications Thulaganyo Segokgo has told Parliament.

Mr Segokgo said this in response to Molepolole North MP, Mr Oabile Regoeng’s question on the condition of the A12 main road passing through Molepolole.

The A12 road starts from Tlokweng border post through Gaborone, Mogoditshane and Metsimotlhabe to Molepolole (Scottish Livingstone Hospital).

Minister Segokgo indicated that reconstruction and upgrading of the road was included in the current eleventh National Development Plan (NDP 11).

He added that the design review was completed in 2018.

However, he said the project had not been budgeted for in the current financial year due to financial constraints.

He also told Parliament that the ministry considered provision of a bypass as an alternative to ease traffic congestion into the village.

“Pursuant to the bypass option, my ministry undertook a feasibility study and a detailed design including land expropriation in the year 2008/09.

The feasibility study and detailed design was carried out as part of Molepolole-Letlhakeng road design,” he said.

He said while the construction of Molepolole by-pass was a necessity, the project was however not included in the current NDP11 hence was not planned for construction at the moment.

The minister also indicated that the last condition survey of the country road network was completed in 2015.

“The average Condition Index of part of A12 road, passing through Molepolole was ranging between 48 and 60 per cent, which is considered to be a fair condition. However, the acceptable category ranges from 60 to 80 per cent.

My Ministry is continuing to undertake maintenance interventions to improve the condition of our road network including the A12 road,” he added.

He further told Parliament that the ministry carried out periodic maintenance intervention (Asphalt Overlay) in the part of A12 from Metsimotlhabe to Molepolole (guard rails near Rocklane) from October 2019 to October 2020.

“Prior to this intervention part of A12 road passing through Molepolole was maintained from November 2010 to April 2011.

The intervention was resealing and road marking of 11km section of the road from guard rails near Rocklane to Scottish Livingstone Hospital.”

Also, he said maintenance of A12 main road passing through Molepolole was the responsibility of the transport and communications ministry until April 2011, when it was transferred to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

He explained that such transfer was pursuant to Cabinet Directive 32 (B)/2010 which mandated local authorities to develop and maintain section of public roads within urban areas and village boundaries including those under the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

“All other roads, including those currently under local government ministry should be handed over to Ministry of Transport and Communications effective from April 1, 2011,” he said.

On the other hand, he said the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development had confirmed to have been undertaking routine maintenance including pothole patching, sign repair, among others, ever since the section of road was handed over to them for maintenance purposes in 2011.

The Molepolole North MP had also wanted to know when the road was last maintained and whether there was any plan in the near future to reconstruct the road to bring it to an acceptable level.

Again, the MP wanted to know government’s position regarding an option to construct a by-pass road as an alternative to ease traffic congestion into the village.

Furthermore, Mr Regoeng wanted to know if there had been any feasibility study conducted to determine viability, cost implication, economic benefit and impact on traffic in Molepolole. ENDS