The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport on Thursday announced a 77.3 km, R1.2-billion road upgrade that would connect Pongola and eDumbe, in the north-western part of the province.

The project, of which the first 6.5 km, R65-million, construction phase had already started, would entail the upgrade of the D-1867 road – off the N2 between Pongola and Piet Retief – from gravel to tar.

The upgraded road would start at Belgrade and ultimately connect to road P-271 in eDumbe.

Speaking at the sod-turning event in Godlwayo KwaZulu-Natal, Social Development MEC Weziwe Thusi pointed out that the road upgrade would create significant job opportunities for local people, while also boosting economic activity.

“At least 1 240 direct jobs will be created for members of local communities [over the course of the project that] will be completed by the 2019/20 financial year,” she said.

Further, the department also noted that an additional R390-million would be invested in road construction projects across the Zululand district in the current financial year.