The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) is investing an estimated R500-million in a road infrastructure project in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. SANRAL has announced the improvement of the N2 road from Green River to Buffalo River Bridge with a contract value of R500 million. The announcement was made at an information session held at Bulembu Airport intersection, west of King Williams Town. The information session was an opportunity for SANRAL to introduce WBHO, the project s main contractor, consultants, supervision engineer Mariswe (Pty) Ltd and design engineers GIBB (Pty) Ltd to the Eastern Cape MEC for Roads, Transport and Safety Weziwe Tikana-Gxothiwe as well as the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.

Addressing community representatives, Tikana- Gxothiwe urged them to jealously guard the project and ensure that community feuds dont delay the project. Our plea as the government of the Eastern Cape to you as the community is for you to look after this project and ensure that there are no delays caused by unnatural causes. This project is not only going to create job opportunities, but it s set to improve the quality of life of locals when completed for generations to come. The fruits of this major investment will be life changing and of great benefit to these communities, for generations,” Tikana-Gxothiwe said.

The project is currently in the mobilisation period and construction is expected to start mid-April this year. The project is for the improvement of the N2 national road s Sections 14 and 15 from Green River to Buffalo River Bridge for a duration of 33 months and entails:

• Road widening and re-construction to improve the level of service to road users;

• Geometric improvements to improve the road alignment;

• Geometric safety improvements at intersections;

• Construction of a new bridge over the Tshoxa River and adjacent railway line;

• A second new bridge over the Tshoxa River (next to Engen); and

• A new bridge over the Buffalo River in King Williams Town.

Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality communities are expected to play a vital role in this project as a source of skills and labour,” Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Southern Region Regional Manager said. The project liaison committee has already been established and inducted. SMME development, training and community liaison are important for the development of local communities and contractors and for the successful completion of this project,” said Peterson.