KwaZulu-Natal reached a major milestone on Tuesday with the official opening of Phase One of the N3 upgrade between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, a project hailed by Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma as the beginning of a new era for the province’s transport infrastructure.
Speaking at the ceremony, which was attended by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, Duma described the completion of the first phase as a “historic chapter that ushers in 50 years of prosperity for KwaZulu-Natal.”
He said the upgraded stretch of road will ease congestion, improve safety, and support the efficient movement of goods along one of South Africa’s busiest freight corridors.
“This is the time for the people of KwaZulu-Natal to stand together and use transport as a catalyst for the growth of all sectors of the economy,” said Duma.
“The N3 is not just a road, it’s a lifeline for trade, tourism, and job creation. Today’s opening marks the start of a more connected and prosperous KZN.”
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The MEC thanked the national government and SANRAL for their partnership in transforming the province into a “construction site,” with infrastructure projects aimed at positioning KZN as a leading logistics hub.
According to Duma, the N3 upgrade forms part of a broader R33 billion national investment covering 15 major transport corridors, three of which — including this one — have now been launched at a combined cost of R6.8 billion.
“These projects are not just about asphalt and concrete,” Duma added. “They’re about creating jobs, empowering emerging contractors, and giving young people opportunities to participate in the province’s growth.”
He said that in the current financial year, the KZN Department of Transport has invested more than R13 billion in new roads and bridges while maintaining over 34,000 kilometres of the provincial road network.
“As we open this first phase of the N3 upgrade, we’re not only building infrastructure, we’re building hope, unity, and opportunity for generations to come,” Duma concluded.
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