Sanral is set to spend more than R1.5-billion on the construction of Mtentu Bridge, which forms part of the N2 Wild Coast (N2WC) toll road project.
Construction of the bridge will last approximately three-and-a-half years.
Sanral national spokesman Vusi Mona said a tender for another bridge, Msikaba, reopened in November. Msikaba bridge is about 23km east of Lusikisiki. This also forms part of the N2WC project.
Mona was speaking ahead of the address by his chief executive Skhumbuzo Macozoma to the the Eastern Cape business community at the East London ICC on Sunday.
He said the two bridges will together improve travel time between East London and Durban by up to three hours for heavy freight. The value of construction of both projects is R1.634-billion.
“These projects form part of the backbone of the greenfields portion of the N2WC.
“This is one of government’s 18 projects that will support economic development and address service delivery in the poorest provinces,” he said.
Mona said direct job-creation was estimated at 8000 full-time jobs over the construction period. Sanral was also involved in the second phase of the R980-million road infrastructure upgrade project on the N2 between Grahamstown and Fish River.
“It’s a six- to seven-year project which is divided into three phases. It will improve safety and offer safe overtaking opportunities once completed,” he said.
Phase two and three of the rehabilitation project on the R63 between King William’s Town and Bhisho will start in the middle of the year and will run for two and a half years.
Mona said about 20% of the contract work value has been given to SMMEs.
“On the first phase of the rehabilitation project between Buffalo River and Breidbach and between King William’s Town and Bhisho about R30-million was spent on SMMEs.” — zolilem@tisoblackstar.co.za