The South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) has given the green light for the development of the long-anticipated N2 south-facing on- and off-ramps between Salt Rock and Tinley Manor on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast.
Sanral said in a statement on Wednesday that the final detailed design for the on- and off-ramps had been approved and Collins Residential was now preparing to start the construction stage of the project, with the clearing of the site scheduled to begin in October.
“The project, which promises to ease traffic flow, boost local infrastructure, and create much-needed jobs, is scheduled for completion by the third-quarter of 2025. Upon completion, the interchange will be handed over to Sanral, followed by a commissioning period for the traffic lights,” the roads agency said.
Collins Residential representative, Trenley Tilbrook, said the company was excited to be entering the construction phase of the “catalytic construction project”.
“This new interchange is key infrastructure for the Sheffield/Seaton area. Once completed, it will not only relieve traffic pressure at the existing Salt Rock off-ramp, but also support future growth in the region.”
The new interchange along the N2 is also notable for being the only one in the region to be constructed in nearly a decade, with previous developments at Ballito, Simbithi, and Salt Rock only being upgrades rather than new construction.
Residents who have navigated the heavy traffic at the Salt Rock turn-off will benefit from the convenience the new interchange promises to bring.
Tilbrook said, despite the scale of the project, traffic disruption would be kept to a minimum.
“The good news is that most of the work is happening away from the existing main roadway. Any disturbance to traffic will only occur when we connect the new ramps to the P228 and N2, north of the Salt Rock turn-off.
“Although the journey has been lengthy, there is growing optimism around the positive impact the interchange will have, and the lasting benefits for the region,” said Tilbrook.
