A MAJOR South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) road construction project on the N2 near King William’s Town – the Belstone Interchange and the MR0688 route connecting Bhisho to Zwelitsha, has been completed.
The new and improved road infrastructure was officially opened to traffic last week after nearly three years of construction, the Eastern Cape provincial government said.
It says the R438 million project was designed to enhance both safety and traffic flow in response to the high accident rates at the old Breidbach intersection and congestion at the MR0690 and MR0688 junction. The upgrades are expected to significantly impact the local transportation network, facilitating smoother and safer travel for thousands of commuters.
The construction phase of the project was also a boon for the local economy, creating over 375 local jobs, according to the provincial government. R106 million was spent on wages, and over R194 million was invested in 100 local enterprises, demonstrating Sanral’s commitment to fostering community growth and development. Sanral also invested R4.6 million in training for 614 locals to enhance their skills and self-sufficiency, ensuring long-term benefits beyond the project’s completion.
This infrastructure development is part of a broader effort to improve road networks across the Eastern Cape, with several road infrastructure projects currently underway. These projects are bringing significant transformation to the region, contributing to a safer, more efficient, and modern transportation system. The opening of the N2 Belstone Interchange and the MR0688 route is a milestone in this ongoing journey towards a better-connected Eastern Cape, the provincial government said.
