Durban — The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Sipho Hlomuka will hand over a R77 million contract to repair the main road R74 linking KwaDukuza, KwaMaphumulo, Kranskop and Greytown after it was damaged during the floods.
Hlomuka will hand over the contractor at KwaMaphumulo under the iLembe District Municipality on Tuesday.
Department spokesperson Kwanele Ncalane said the project is strategic for the provincial economy as it is used by lots of heavy vehicles to transport agricultural produce.
“The project was damaged during the December 2021 floods when an Armco pipe culvert was washed away. This resulted in a huge sinkhole and other failures. The road had to be totally closed for the safety of motorists and an engineering investigation was commissioned by the Department.
“The investigation revealed a far deeper problem and recommended that a permanent structure (bridge) be built in this section as a long-term solution,” he said.
Ncalane further said the contract value for the construction of a new structure was R77 million.
He said through this contract, local contractors will also benefit, and jobs will be created.
Daily News