The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government has announced a multimillion-rand project that will see vital highways upgraded and rehabilitated following the recent rains.
The R500 million road project, which was inaugurated in Mbumbulu on Monday, is part of the province government’s ongoing effort to rehabilitate transport infrastructure that was damaged by the floods.
Sihle Zikalala, the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, led the announcement of the infrastructure turnaround plan, which involves converting section P725 from blacktop to tar and reconstructing another part of road that had been seriously damaged.
More than R409 million has been set aside for the upgrade, with R86.5 million earmarked for the length of road between eNgonyameni and uMlazi.
The road connects a number of wards in uMbumbulu, eFolweni, eNgonyameni, and uMlazi. It also connects to the R603, which is important for freight movement.
The launch, according to Zikalala, is part of the province’s commitment to rebuilding the economy and ensuring connectivity in many villages.
The communities surrounding eThekwini Metro, he said, were particularly heavily struck by the recent monsoon rains.
The province must reprioritise budget allocation for this fiscal year through the provincial Transport Department to address critical emergency repairs.
“Working with the South African Road Agency (SANRAL), the department is also attending to projects such as the N2, R102 and M4. The province is moving with speed in restoring damaged infrastructure and will continue to prioritise those communities that were most affected,” Zikalala said.
The construction and rehabilitation of a section of a road is a living testimony that “as the provincial government we are serious about fulfilling the commitment of recovery and reconstruction”.
“This investment will ensure that the people of eThekwini are able to connect and link with important facilities. This will also create jobs and much-needed economic growth for the area.
“Importantly, it will open economic activities which will benefit the emerging small entrepreneurs which were affected by the recent floods,” Zikalala said.
Zikalala made a commitment that the provincial government will be unveiling a number of projects in the next few weeks and handing over contractors that will be doing repairs.
He said the province has more than 1 365 projects that were affected by floods and needs in excess of R6.5 billion to fix them.