GOVERNMENT has announced a number of interventions to help rebuild and rehabilitate key sectors of KwaZulu-Natal’s transport infrastructure.

On Friday, Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, said government is working closely with communities to ensure speedy repairs to rail and road infrastructure.

“The cost for the repairs and rehabilitation of the rail network affected by flood damage is estimated at R3.3bn. The disaster compounded an already challenged rail network that had been hit hard by theft and vandalism of rail infrastructure,” Mbalula said.

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He said the service recovery for commuter rail will be undertaken in phases due to the severity of the impact of the floods on the rail network.

The first phase will focus on restoring safe train movement in areas where damage was limited.

Government anticipates achieving recovery in the north between one to three months, particularly in areas where the damage is not as severe.

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The minister also revealed that repair and rehabilitation work on the N2 and N3 is already underway at a total cost of R542.5 million. This work will be funded from the South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) budget.

Mbalula added funding to repair provincial roads will be allocated through the reprioritization of the Provincial Road Maintenance Grant to the tune of R3.1 billion.

“The province had initially requested assistance to the tune of R5.1bn. However, through the reprioritisation of the Provincial budget, the R2.6bn will be funded by the Province,” he said.