ROAD safety and transport infrastructure in Limpopo will undergo a radical facelift this year.

MEC Pinkie Kekana says her department will upgrade roads and improve public transport, especially the taxi industry.

These projects form part of the 2009-10 budget vote of R2,98billion.

Kekana has confirmed that the department will tar 150km of road at a cost of R691million.

Limpopo at present has a road network of 21971km but only 7345km is tarred.

Said Kekana yesterday: "Our province is known as the gateway to Africa and this suggests that we should improve our road network to respond positively to the demands of transporting goods and people by increasing sustainable mobility."

Members of the Maredi and Mankele communities, whose residents cross the Olifants River by using a risky cable called segwai-gwai, are elated by the proposed construction of a bridge.

Plans are at an advanced stage to build a road in Witlaagte to connect Rapotokwane and Lutto villages.

An amount of R43million has been set aside for the tow bridges as well as the Witlaagte road.

An additional R11million will be spent on constructing a bridge in Seloane in the Mopani district.

The department has also entered into a joint venture with Pretoria Portland Cement to build a 50km road in Dwaalboom for R200million.