The Western Cape government is doubling its infrastructure investment, recognising this as a crucial strategy for boosting local economies, particularly in rural areas.“The success of our well-maintained road network in the Western Cape has always rested on our strategy of maintaining a rigorous preventive and periodic road maintenance programme. Our future focus of upgrading roads where we can is vital to ensure that we anticipate needs and respond proactively,” said Advocate Chantal Smith of the province’s infrastructure department.The maintenance project and upgrading of the main road between the N1 Paarl and Kliprug Road are economic enablers for local enterprises and small businesses. Set to be completed in the second quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, the project has seen an investment of more than R200 million. Linking Franschhoek with Paarl, roads such as these are particularly important to agriculture.The provincial minister of infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, said roads such as these were critical in areas with vital agricultural and tourism activity, particularly in the absence of reliable rail infrastructure. “Investing in the upkeep of our roads is not just an investment in transportation but in the region's prosperity a s wel l."For Premier Alan Winde it is about infrastructure-led economic growth. He said the Western Cape remained committed to improving infrastructure.“As the Western Cape grows, so must our road network. We are on track with the N7/Refinery Interchange project – a R248m investment that created 500 job opportunities for more than 50 SMMEs,” he said. “And this project, like many other infrastructure projects, will be a key artery for many more jobs in the f uture.”
