en.Wedoany.com Reported - The quasi-state organization, South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral), has stated that the upgrade and reconstruction of the N2 and N3 highways and interchanges in KwaZulu-Natal Province are progressing.
The agency indicated that the N2 upgrade includes 11 projects with a total investment of R19 billion, while the N3 upgrade involves 16 projects with a total investment of R33 billion. All projects aim to provide sufficient road capacity for the next 30 years.
Dudley Mbambo, Sanral's KwaZulu-Natal provincial head, revealed that the N2 project will cover 55 kilometers, and the N3 project will cover 80 kilometers. The upgrades will enhance logistics and commuting efficiency by expanding capacity, flattening steep gradients, and redesigning dangerous intersections, making the highways safer. This is particularly important for the N3 highway, as it connects South Africa's busiest port with the economic hub of Gauteng Province, carrying the highest volume of road freight in the country.
Mbambo stated: "As a core component of the strategic integrated project, these targeted improvements on the N3 corridor will significantly reduce travel times, lower vehicle operating costs, and enhance the stable flow of goods between Durban and Gauteng."
Achieving these improvements requires multiple construction projects. These projects directly create job opportunities while supporting Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). At least 30% of the contract value is allocated to SMMEs, and 8% to 10% of expenditure is strictly used for local labor hiring. These targets are explicitly listed as contractor obligations in the contracts, with penalties for non-compliance. Mbambo noted that in all completed projects on the N3 corridor, labor hiring and SMME targets have been exceeded.
He stated that earthworks and pavement layers will be included in the construction work portfolio, encompassing the manufacturing and installation of asphalt and concrete pavements. Other construction works include interchange upgrades, as well as the demolition and reconstruction of multiple bridges.
Mbambo said the N2 and N3 upgrades will reduce major traffic bottlenecks, as widening of dual carriageways will allow smoother traffic flow. Alignment adjustments will reduce the number of breakdowns and accidents involving heavy vehicles, thereby decreasing highway congestion and enabling trucks to maintain steady speeds. He pointed out that by improving and modernizing interchanges, conflicting traffic patterns can be eliminated while improving accessibility, in addition to ensuring safer and faster merging and exiting. These projects will also help reduce costs for logistics companies—due to fewer accidents and injuries as well as shorter travel times—while enhancing the country's global competitiveness.
As of last month, six projects on the N3 corridor and two on the N2 were under construction, while three projects on the N3 corridor have been completed. A routine road maintenance program is also underway to address potholes and damaged road infrastructure. Mbambo concluded: "Routine road maintenance projects are being carried out on all sections of the national road network, including the N2 and N3. Additionally, Sanral has implemented pavement rehabilitation projects to safeguard infrastructure integrity and ensure pavement durability."
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