Improving road infrastructure across South Africa remains key in many municipalities across the country. This is underpinned by the belief that improved road infrastructure will help stimulate the national economy.

In the Eastern Cape, the Department of Roads and Public Works is planning on pushing ahead with several road infrastructure projects over the next fiscal year.

According to MEC Thandiswa Marawu, the department’s provincial Roads Infrastructure Programme is aimed at providing a balanced and equitable provincial road network. This includes upgrading gravel roads to surface roads, building new roads, as well as rehabilitating and maintaining current transport infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

“The road network must be developed and maintained in such a way that it supports the country’s national development objectives,” she said.

Facilitating opportunities

Marawu said that a good public transport system and well-built infrastructure helps with the mobility of people, and the transportation of goods and services. She said it also helps facilitate economic and social opportunities to members from historically disadvantaged communities.

Sub-programmes

Marawu said many projects in the province are supported through construction and maintenance sub-programmes. Currently, the department is overseeing road construction of a dual carriageway from the Mzamba road to Magusheni road which has not been resurfaced in the last 25 years.

The department said this project will improve the link between the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Upcoming projects

There are many upgrade and construction projects on the cards for the province which span until 2018.

The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has also lent department a helping hand and will be assisting with the implementation of the department’s Sabalele project.

This project includes upgrading 18km of road near St Marks off the R61 to the village from where Chris Hani was from.

Other projects for the province include:

• Upgrading Nkantolo Road. This project is valued at R166.7 million.
• Upgrading the road to Mlamli hospital. Construction is expected to start in June next year.
• Upgrading a section of the R72 between Port Alfred and Peddie.
• Upgrading internal streets in the Ugie Town phase 2. This project is valued at R156.2 million.
• Upgrading 8.25km internal streets in Tarkastad East and Tarkastad West.
• Reconstruction of Sandriver Bridge at Cape St Francis.
• Upgrading the roads between Tombo to Isilimela Hospital. This project is valued at R222.2 million.