He was speaking during the signing of an agreement on the construction with a consortium comprising Grinaker-LTA and two black-owned companies, Thamane and Yikusasa, which won the contract last month.

The project is designed to complement the industrial development zone near Johannesburg International Airport.

The proposed zone will help international trade and investment companies that depend on the rapid flow of imports and exports.

The project entails the construction of the interchange between Atlas Road and the R21 freeway, including five ramps to facilitate a free flow of
traffic from Atlas Road on to the freeway in all directions and vice versa.

The construction will also involve the rehabilitation of about 2,6km of the R21 freeway, including the addition of a lane in each direction, resulting in a six-lane freeway. The project also includes the construction of some minor access roads.

It is jointly funded by Blue IQ a public-private initiative to fund and promote strategic investment in Gauteng and the provincial transport
department. Blue IQ will fund the construction of the interchange with all the related roads and structures to the tune of R140m, while the department will contribute R40m for the rehabilitation of the R21 freeway.

Mosunkutu said the project constituted one of government's commitments to its goal of contributing to the creation of jobs and developing the
province's infrastructure.

He said the construction would not only provide about 300 jobs, but would boost socio-economic development.