Billions of rands are being poured into upgrading KwaZulu-Natal’s road network, with current investment in construction totalling R8.3 billion.

R15 billion has been earmarked for the upgrading of the N3 from Durban to Cedara outside Pietermaritzburg. On the N2 North Coast between Mtunzini and Mtubatuba, R1.4 billion will be spent widening the road from Mtunzini to Empangeni and to build interchanges at Eteza and Kwabhoboza.

According to SANRAL’s Eastern Region manager, Logashri Sewnarain, major upgrading and realignment will be done on the N3 between Durban and Pietermaritzburg which is located within the Primary Growth Corridor identified in terms of the Provincial Spatial Economic Development Strategy.

The road, which carries up to 120 000 vehicles per day and in excess of 40 million tons of freight per annum, is coming under severe strain because of the high volume of heavy vehicles, steep gradients and limited  capacity at specific locations.

“The importance of the Durban-Free State-Gauteng Freight Corridor has been reinforced by the country’s New Growth Path, National Development Plan and National Infrastructure Plan and has been prioritised for accelerated implementation in terms of the Strategic Integrated Projects to ensure capacity meets future demands,” said Sewnarain.

“The project’s goal is to transform the economic landscape, create new jobs and strengthen the delivery of basic services whilst tying up with port upgrade plans.”

She added that the N3 will see two and three lanes being added, resulting in an eight to 10-lane freeway over a distance of 84 kilometres. There will be upgrading of 27 interchanges and 95 underpass/overpass bridges will need to be upgraded.

A ring road around Pietermaritzburg is also being investigated, as also is a tunnel at Townhill. The Key Ridge stretch of the N3 will be realigned to reduce steep grades.

Preliminary designs have been completed and the detailed designs are being undertaken. Land acquisition and the environmental impact study have commenced.

 

No e-tolls for KZN

Sewnarain added there are no plans to introduce new tolls in KZN or e-tolling as it exists in Gauteng.

“In Gauteng, we upgraded the road network and since it is a multi-lane free flow tolling system, gantries were erected to record the passage of vehicles and the transactions.

“This is not what is proposed for KZN where road users will have the choice between using manual lanes or automated lanes where the toll fee will be the same,” she said.

KZN MEC for Transport Willies Mchunu and KZN MEC for Economic Development Mike Mabuyakhulu welcomed the new automated Shesha lane at toll plazas as it saved time and did not incur any additional toll fees.

Mchunu said: “We had been properly informed by SANRAL about the Shesha lane and we decided we cannot object because the lane adds choice. However, we stated no further changes must be made at tolls without consultation. We discussed e-tolls and said that whatever happens in Gauteng must not be imported into KZN.”