Upcoming N2 upgrades to improve economy

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13-12-2023
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South Coast Sun
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Upgrades to the N2 and N3 carriageways will ease traffic congestion and increase safety on the roads.

THE N2-north carriageway is soon going to be a hive of activity as the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) has announced upgrades to widen it.

In a statement, Sanral said the upgrades will focus on the 55km stretch of the N2 from the Illovo River bridge to uMdloti on the North Coast.

“The Isipingo interchange, which carries a high volume of light and heavy vehicles, will be widened from a three to a four or five-lane dual carriageway,” said the statement.

The N3 between Durban and Pietermaritzburg will also be upgraded as part of the Durban-Free State-Gauteng Logistics and Industrial Corridor.

“The N2 and the N3 have become an important part of Sanral’s plan to refurbish and strengthen the routes that connect South Africa’s main industrial hubs. For companies and residents in the area, this is now bearing fruit in terms of local economic growth and job creation. Our flagship projects are expected to take between eight to 10 years to complete and create up to 15 000 job opportunities throughout construction,” it said.

The upgrades between Cato Ridge and the Ashburton interchange are expected to ease traffic congestion and increase safety on that stretch of the N3. Improvements on the N2 are expected to improve access to the Durban harbour and raise efficiency along the entire corridor.

“Such investment in road infrastructure upgrades, especially in rural and underdeveloped communities, provides an opportunity for generating economic growth, alleviating poverty, reducing inequality and increasing international competitiveness,” said Sanral.

The start of the N2 construction will be announced soon.