Specialised German-manufactured Wirtgen machinery being used to lay concrete along the N2 upgrade between Ermelo and the KwaZulu-Natal border. | Photo: GCIS Mpumalanga Provincial Office/Facebook
Specialised machinery imported from Germany is being used in the N2 upgrade between Ermelo and the KwaZulu-Natal border, with the equipment capable of laying approximately 350 metres of concrete road per day.
The technology forms part of the major road infrastructure project currently underway along the N2, which was recently inspected by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy during an oversight visit as part of October Transport Month.
Unlike conventional asphalt road construction, the project incorporates reinforcement bars and concrete to create a stronger, more durable road surface capable of handling heavy traffic.
The specialised equipment allows construction teams to lay substantial sections of concrete roadway each day, supporting progress on the approximately 150-kilometre upgrade.
A newly laid section of concrete roadway along the N2 upgrade, designed to withstand heavy freight traffic and provide a lifespan of up to 30 years with minimal maintenance. | Photo: GCIS Mpumalanga Provincial Office/Facebook
According to information shared during the minister's visit, the concrete road is designed to have a lifespan of up to 30 years with minimal maintenance.
This is particularly important for the N2, which carries significant volumes of heavy freight traffic travelling between Mpumalanga and the ports of Richards Bay and Durban.
The reinforced concrete surface is intended to withstand the weight of heavy vehicles while reducing the need for frequent road repairs.
The broader N2 upgrade will transform the route into a divided dual carriageway, improving road capacity, freight movement and road safety.
With construction continuing across several sections, the use of specialised technology forms part of efforts to deliver a more durable transport corridor connecting Mpumalanga with KwaZulu-Natal.