Mpumalanga MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport Thulasizwe Thomo (left) alongside Transport Minister Barbara Creecy during an oversight visit to the N2 upgrade between Ermelo and Piet Retief as part of October Transport Month. | Photo: Gert Sibande District Municipality/Facebook
The major N2 upgrade between Ermelo and the KwaZulu-Natal border is reportedly 32% complete, with approximately R2.3 billion already spent on construction.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy conducted an oversight visit to the project as part of the October Transport Month campaign, assessing progress on the approximately 150-kilometre road upgrade.
Speaking to the media at a construction site between Ermelo and Piet Retief, Creecy outlined the scale of the project, which will transform the existing road into a divided dual carriageway.
According to figures shared during the briefing, four construction packages are currently operational, with work taking place along different sections of the route.
The project is targeting completion by May 2029, although construction challenges and other factors could affect the schedule.
Rock excavation and heavy machinery at a quarry supplying construction materials for the N2 upgrade between Ermelo and Piet Retief. The locally sourced stone is used in the road’s foundation and concrete construction. | Photo: Department of Transport
Creecy explained that the road is being constructed using locally sourced materials, with quarries established near the construction areas to supply stone for the road foundation and concrete.
The construction methods are intended to address the region's clay-rich soil, which can retain moisture and compromise road surfaces if not properly treated.
Employment and economic opportunities
The project is also expected to create substantial employment and business opportunities for communities along the route.
During the briefing, approximately 2,000 employment opportunities were reported to have been created, with a projected total of 6,700 by completion.
Read More: "Employment concerns raised over multi-billion-rand N2 project"
The minister also referred to the allocation of 30% of project work to subcontractors, forming part of SANRAL's efforts to support local businesses.
Improving road safety and freight movement
The N2 is an important freight corridor connecting Mpumalanga with the ports of Richards Bay and Durban.
Creecy highlighted the heavy commercial traffic using the route and the serious road accidents recorded along the highway as key reasons for the upgrade.
Widening the road into a dual carriageway is expected to improve traffic flow, accommodate heavy vehicles and reduce the risk of collisions.
The oversight visit formed part of October Transport Month, during which government highlights transport infrastructure improvements, road safety and efforts to strengthen South Africa's transport network.