The Eastern Cape Province will benefit from the construction of the N2 Wild Coast highway as it is expected to unlock the economic, tourism and developmental potential of the area.

Transport Minister Dipuo Peters, together with the Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform Gugile Nkwinti, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC), on Thursday met with the political and traditional leadership of the province respectively led by Premier Phumulo Masualle and Amampondo King Zanozuko Sigcau to discuss the project.

“This is not only about the road, but will change the entire configuration of the province,” Minister Peters said.

The Department of Transport said the project involves the construction of 410km road between East London and Mtamvuna which will include nine bridges. Two of those bridges will be mega bridges.

The contractor for the construction of the two mega bridges will be on site by the end of the year.

“Construction of the bridges will take two to three years and the road three to four years, which could be shortened if implemented concurrently,” the department said.

The project is expected to create 7 700 direct jobs and 40 000 indirect jobs.

When the road is complete, it will result in the reduction in distance of 85kms and about 3 hours in travel time between East London and Durban.

“The Hybrid funding model is being finalised with the National Treasury,” the department said