According to South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) boss Nazir Alli, the key to South Africa’s economic growth is in the continued maintenance and upgrading of the road infrastructure.

“In future, we will be travelling on safe and well-upgraded roads. It is important for all of us as a nation to have a common vision. So, investing in infrastructure is important,” said Alli during the CSIR’s 4th biennial conference on the future of infrastructure in the country.

There will be sizeable investments made in the country’s road network, particularly in regards to transport and logistics as there are currently areas that are hard to reach due to poor transport links, which is hampering the potential for economic growth.

One of the more notable projects on the cards is the  development of the Durban- Free State-Gauteng industrial and logistics corridor which will improve the flow of goods and services around the country.

Alli said South Africans should look upon the investment that will be made by government into these massive road infrastructure projects as key to development across the country.

“In terms of our future projects, our drive will always be to maintain our road networks, as without maintenance, these assets will deteriorate.  It would be a cost to our economy, as well as a cost to us individuals. Therefore, we will always maintain our road infrastructure so that it can meet the demands [of the economy],” he said.