THE third major intersection in as many years in KwaZulu-Natal was opened at Ballito on the N2 today by the Minister of Transport Dipuo Peters.

According to Peters, the interchange is a boon to motorists and commuters and will eliminate traffic congestion and long delays. It is one of several major projects of the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) to enhance the national roads network in KwaZulu-Natal.

Peters used the occasion to express concern about the high accident rate on South African roads and said the government had elevated the issue of road safety to become a national priority.

Earlier she placed wreaths at the scene of two fatal accidents. In July last year, Thulani Mashaba, deputy mayor of uThungulu District Municipality, died in a car crash near the Ballito turn-off.

In August, a taxi crashed down an embankment at the Shaka’s Head off-ramp and landed on railway tracks – before being hit by an oncoming passenger train. Sixteen people were killed in the accident.