Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has officially opened the R708 million N2 Kokstad interchange project, saying the upgraded infrastructure will improve traffic flow, support trade and create economic opportunities in the region.
Creecy was speaking on Wednesday 21 October during the official opening of the interchange as part of October Transport Month.
She said the project would address longstanding congestion at the intersection, which had delayed commuters and freight transport, limiting economic activity in the area.
The interchange connects the N2 and R56, improving the movement of local, regional and long-distance traffic between Kokstad, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.
“The R708 million invested in this project demonstrates how public infrastructure can drive economic development while improving daily life,” Creecy said.
The project included the realignment and upgrading of approximately 2km of the R56, the construction of a new three-span bridge over the N2, the widening of the Koppieskraal River bridge and the installation of six new box culverts.
A parallel service road was also constructed to improve access to commercial and industrial properties, while a new Traffic Control Centre will support road safety through real-time monitoring, incident management and overload control.
Street lighting, additional signage and fencing were installed along the interchange and R56 corridor to improve safety and discourage unsafe pedestrian crossings.
Creecy said the project had also created employment and business opportunities for local communities.
More than R59 million was spent on local labour, creating work for 500 people, while R184 million was spent supporting 71 small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
A further R26 million was invested in community development, alongside 530 training opportunities.
SANRAL also supported community initiatives, including refurbishing ablution facilities and the driveway at Kokstad Primary School, improving the agricultural garden at Westland School and donating to Elonwabeni Home for the Aged, Peter Pearce Child and Welfare Centre and Mount Currie Disabled Centre.
Grade 10 to 12 learners from Thembalethu and Carl Malcomess high schools were also given career awareness opportunities and exposure to a site laboratory.
Creecy said the interchange was expected to strengthen Kokstad’s role as a regional gateway by reducing congestion, improving freight movement and lowering the cost of doing business.
She thanked the different spheres of government, SANRAL, project partners, workers and communities who contributed to the project.
“When we invest in public infrastructure, we invest in jobs, enterprise and the future of our people,” she said.
