A 77.3km upgrade costing R1.2 billion between Pongola and Dumbe has been announced bythe KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport.
The upgrade of the road D-1867 from gravel to tar, off N2 between Pongola and Piet Retief, will start from Belgrade and ultimately connect to road P-271 in Dumbe (Paulpietersburg). Initial construction of 6.5 km as part of the first phase has already begun. The initial phase of 6.5 km will be constructed at cost of R65 million. The entire project of 77.3 km – including five major bridges – will cost R1.2 billion and will be completed by 2019/20 financial year..According to the KZN DoT the road is an important development that will feed into major corridors that cut across the Zululand District Municipality.
Drivers will now be able to use the route to travel west to Dumbe, Vryheid and Newcastle, north to Piet Retief, Ermelo and Johannesburg as well south to Pongola, Empangeni and Durban. Source: SAnews.gov.za
