On Thursday, October 10, 2024, Transport Minister Ms. Barbara Creecy toured the multi-billion rand N2 and N3 projects in KwaZulu-Natal. The purpose of her visit was to assess the development of the roads. She was joined by KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Mr. Sboniso Duma, SANRAL CEO Mr. Reginald Demana, and other representatives from the transport industry.
The tour began at the R4.5 billion Key Ridge project in Peacevale, then proceeded to the R5 billion upgrades of the EB Cloete project, and concluded at the N2 KwaMashu to Umdloti River Bridge.
The Minister’s visit of these roadways is a component of the Transport Month initiative, during which the Department of Transport and its agencies highlight their investments in railways, roads, maritime, aviation, and public transportation, along with their role in promoting economic growth. Additionally, this visit demonstrated the South African government’s dedication to accelerating the development of vital road infrastructure, which is essential for stimulating economic growth and realizing the country’s potential.
The minister conveyed her satisfaction regarding the advancements in the N2-N3 upgrades program. This initiative, awarded by SANRAL, is currently underway and includes nine packages and five major interchanges. She noted that the N2-N3 upgrades, worth R50 billion, will greatly enhance the infrastructure capacity of key economic routes linking KZN with the rest of South Africa and beyond.
“The upgraded roads will help resolve chronic traffic congestion and reduce road crashes, resulting in higher mobility, increased safety and a reduction in travel time and thus satisfying our aims to continue to reduce the costs of transportation and travel.”, said the Minister of Transport.
In wrapping up her keynote speech, Creecy appealed to drivers and truck operators to be patient during the construction stage, emphasizing that this effort will lead to safer roads and contribute to the development of a robust economy supported by effective infrastructure.
