More tolls on the cards, warns DA

Democratic Alliance Gauteng spokesperson Jack Bloom said Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane had revealed this in reply to a question in the legislature.

"It's a reversal of the announcement by former Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele in November 2011 that phase two would be halted until all consultative processes were exhausted," Bloom said in a statement.

"It now appears that the decision has already been made, and will follow the planned introduction of e-tolls on phase one of the GFIP."

Mokonyane's spokesperson Thebe Mohatle referred enquires to the provincial transport department.

Department spokesperson Octavia Mamabolo denied there were any immediate plans to begin implementation.

"The second phase of the GFIP is not on the departmental plans for 2013/2014," she said.

According to the Automobile Association, phase two of the GFIP 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.

Bloom said the estimated cost of the second phase was R24bn.

"It is highly likely that it will cost vastly more than this," he added.