WESTERN CAPE – The Western Cape Infrastructure Department has announced the temporary closure of Franschhoek Pass for construction work, following severe storms and flooding in September.
According to South African Government News Agency, Infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers stated that the closure will be effective from Mondays to Fridays, 8 am to 5 pm, starting 28 November until 15 December 2023. The pass, which is a vital link between Franschhoek and the towns of Grabouw and Villiersdorp, was initially closed after a severe weather system struck the Western Cape. It was later reopened to selected categories of light motor vehicles once temporary repairs were initiated, and the landslips had stabilized sufficiently for work to begin.
The construction work has now reached a phase that necessitates daily closures to carry out soil-nailing, a technique used to stabilize slopes. This process involves the insertion of metal tendons into the soil to create a structure akin to a gravity wall. Due to the size of the equipment and the workspace needed, the pass needs to be closed during these operations.
Light motor vehicles will still be permitted to use the pass outside of the closure hours. However, vehicles weighing over five tons are strictly prohibited from traversing the pass, even when it is open.
MEC Simmers expressed concerns regarding the non-compliance of some road users with the pass’s restrictions and signage, particularly heavy motor vehicles. Such non-compliance not only hinders the repair work but also poses a significant risk, as trucks ignoring the signage could become stuck at closure points due to the lack of space for turning around.
Acknowledging the inconvenience caused to the local community and visitors, as well as the impact of the weight limitation, Simmers emphasized that the safety of all road users is the department’s primary concern. He noted that permanent repair work is ongoing, but it will still be a considerable period before the pass can support two-way traffic.