Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has announced that the Gauteng portion of Moloto Road will be reclassified as a national road and has officially been handed to the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral).
The Minister said in a statement that the road linked 33 informal settlements and served as a primary mobility route.
He added that Moloto road was an important economic artery connecting the provinces of Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Gauteng.
Moloto Road has one of the highest accident rates in the country, which is why the upgrades are crucial.
“The government has listened to the pleas of local communities and road users and has responded by transferring the road to Sanral and allocating more resources for its upgrade. The benefits of the upgrades include reduced travel time between destinations, thus eliminating the need to travel at unsafe hours,” said Mbalula.
He emphasised that upgrading a road must bring tangible economic benefits to the communities who live alongside the road.
"When we build new or upgrade existing roads, we are always mindful of the economic impact. We have no doubt that Moloto Road will draw more economic activity into the area, enable small farmers to bring their produce to markets, be a route for tourists who want to visit game reserves and natural attractions, and facilitate the movement of people, products and services.”
