Durban — The South African National Road Agency’s (Sanral) flagship project to upgrade the N2 and N3 highways is generating tens of thousands of jobs and reinvigorating economic prospects in KwaZulu-Natal said Transport Minister Barbara Creecy.
The N2 and N3 is the biggest road upgrade that KZN has seen in several decades. Once completed, 135 kilometres will have been upgraded to a total value of R50 billion. The N2 and N3 highways serve as vital arteries for the movement of goods and people, with 70% of South Africa's road freight traffic traversing these routes to reach the ports of Durban and Richards Bay.
During an inspection of the construction activities at the Key Ridge site, located between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, Creecy emphasised the critical importance of this infrastructure project.
Creecy referred to earlier challenges posed by congestion and road safety, particularly at notorious accident hotspots like Key Ridge on the N3. The investment of R4.5 billion to realign this steep section of the road is expected to significantly improve safety for all users, especially freight vehicles.
Beyond safety and congestion relief, Creecy highlighted the project's role in empowering the youth through skills training.
“We are doing important work to ensure that young people, whether they are in the artisan class or university graduates, have an opportunity to undertake on-site training,” she said.
Since the project's inception, 1 000 young people have received on-the-job training, with plans to double that number, reflecting a commitment of R340 million towards training initiatives over the coming years.
In line with the goal of inclusive growth, the upgrades aim to assist local construction companies in achieving higher technical gradings, enabling them to bid on larger contracts.
“A total of 30% of the spend on this huge project is on sub-contractors, with the total value of this particular package of work being about R8 billion. The intention is to ensure that by the time a company has completed their work, they can upgrade their Construction Industry Development Board grading,” Creecy said.
Creecy also pointed out that these upgrades are more than just road improvements; they represent foundational investments for future economic growth and sustainable livelihoods across KZN and beyond.
Through meticulous planning and substantial investment, including nine construction packages worth a combined R29 billion, the N2-N3 upgrades promise to create approximately 33 500 direct jobs and stimulate economic activity for years to come. With R2.3 billion earmarked for local wages and R8.8 billion focused on black-owned enterprises, the economic ripple effect is expected to be profound.
The N2-N3 upgrades align with the Seventh Administration’s goal to invest more heavily in infrastructure as a means of driving job creation and reducing poverty throughout South Africa. These roads will not only facilitate trade and transport but are positioned to be a growth catalyst for future prosperity.
The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, said that the upgrade is driving economic development, empowering local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), and creating opportunities for the youth.
“This project will be a legacy project for the province of KwaZulu-Natal and its people,” he said.
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