Mbalula: Reopening of N2 Umhlatuze River bridge ‘by no means a small step’

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has praised the completed upgrade of the Umhlatuze River bridge between the Mtunzini toll plaza and Empangeni, saying it is “by no means a small step for road users”.

Mbalula officially opened the upgraded bridge on Friday, where he emphasised the importance of infrastructure in connecting communities.

“Every gravel stone and every drop of bitumen that make up the surface of our roads represent every road user the road connects to their loved ones and centres of social and economic activity.

“Our road network connects lives, connects communities, connects economies and indeed represent our forward momentum as a nation,” he said in a statement released after the ceremony.

Mbalula added the upgrade of the road was in line with the National Development Plan and maintaining road infrastructure.

“The 33km stretch of the N2 between the Mtunzini toll plaza and Empangeni T-junction on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast has for years earned the ignoble reputation as a road of death.

“The many lives lost on this road must spur us into action and decisive interventions that save life and limb and change the behaviour of road users,” he said.

While the upgrading of the road will ensure drivers’ safety, Mbalula warned this does not mean drivers could now be reckless.

“Our commitment to upgrade and keep our road infrastructure in a pristine condition should not translate to reckless behaviour by motorists who feel emboldened to drive at excessive speeds.

“Those who take advantage of our good roads and place the lives of others at risk will face the full might of the law.”

The R76m project had created 510 full-time jobs, Mbalula said.

“There is very little doubt that roads are the lifeblood of the economy. They enable movement of goods and people as well as connect economic and social nodes,” he added.

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