The road will benefit more than 100,000 residents in the northern part of the Pongola Local Municipality, said the provincial department in a statement.
The upgrade of the road D-1867 from gravel to tar, off N2 between Pongola and Piet Retief, will start from Belgrade and ultimately connect to road P-271 in Dumbe (Paulpietersburg).
Initial construction of 6.5km as part of the first phase has already begun.
Speaking at the sod-turning event in Godlwayo, MEC Weziwe Thusi, representing Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Willies Mchunu, said the road upgrade will create job opportunities for local people while boosting community economic activity.
"The initial phase of 6.5km will be constructed at cost of R65mn. The entire project of 77.3km - including five major bridges - will cost R1.2bn and will be completed by 2019/20 financial year," said MEC Thusi.
The initiative will create at least 1,240 direct jobs for members of local communities.
MEC Thusi said the road is an important development that will feed into major corridors that cut across the Zululand District Municipality.
"Communities from Belgrade and surroundings to Khiphunyawo, Vimbemshini, Orangedaal and the entire Ntumbane areas will be major beneficiaries. An additional R390 million will be invested in road construction projects across the Zululand District in the current financial year," said the MEC.
Citizens will now be able to use the route to travel west to Dumbe, Vryheid and Newcastle, north to Piet Retief, Ermelo and Johannesburg as well south to Pongola, Empangeni and Durban.
"[The] launch of this road upgrade and the Department of Social Development's R12mn multi-purpose centre incorporating SASSA and Home Affairs demonstrate our government's commitment to service delivery and improving the lives of our people.
"The people of Pongola and the entire citizens of KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa will benefit immensely from these investments," said MEC Thusi.
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