This, as Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula is expected to visit the N6 road project between Smithfield and Rouxville. The SANRAL upgrade project on the N6 at Smithfield is said to have generated 390 jobs to the value of over R28 million and given economic opportunities to 30 local sub-contractors. Mbalula has taken to his social media pages to announce that the project not only created job opportunities for contractors but provided training to all local labour.

Similar to the notorious N8 route between Bloemfontein and Botshabelo, the N6 route between Smithfield and Rouxville has claimed many lives and left hundreds injured throughout the years.

Mbalula's visit to the project comes months after the EFF in the Provincial Legislature has called on Police, Roads and Transport MEC, Sam Mashinini, to ensure that the project reaches completion and that he fast-tracks developments on the N6.

Mbalula's department in a statement explains "the upgrade entails the widening and realignment of the existing road, and fundamentally improves safety aspects. One of the key results of the vertical realignment will be fewer blind rises on the route and a longer field of vision for motorists".

The road is also being widened to 12,4 metres, including a generous shoulder on each side. 

OFM News