Repair work is still underway on the Franschhoek Pass, which was further damaged by severe weather in May this year.

The pass suffered extensive damage in October 2023, also from heavy rainfall. Western Cape MEC for Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers previously said the heavy downpour back then caused “slope failures, debris build up and deterioration of the road and the drainage systems.”

Jandré Bakker, a spokesperson for the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure, said at the end of October 2025 that contactors were hard at work filling slopes along the affected part of the road. At the time they were busy installing self-drilling soil nails, high-strength steel mesh, anchored gabion walls, and reinforced shotcrete.

“The road surface and subsoil drainage systems in the affected portion of road are being reinstated and improved. Damaged road pavement layers are being reinstated and stormwater drainage systems are being repaired. Erosion protection measures, such as rip rap and erosion control blankets, are also being installed.”

Read Also: Franschhoek Pass remains closed indefinitely after May floods cause extensive damage

Early in May the South African Weather Service (SAWS) put an Orange level-8 warning out for disruptive rainfall for “mountainous regions of the Drakenstein, Stellenbosch, the western parts of the Theewaterskloof, Breede Valley and Witzenberg local municipalities of the Western Cape from Sunday to Tuesday (10-12 May 2026)”.

The heavy cold front wreaked havoc across the Western Cape and the Franschhoek Pass was not spared. As part of a flood-recovery update Simmers confirmed at the end of July that the pass suffered extensive flood damage.

“The route remains one of our highest-priority recovery projects. In addition to multiple slope failures and slips, significant damage to the Du Toits River Bridge (on the Theewaterskloof side of the pass) requires further engineering intervention. Our teams remain on site and the necessary repair works form part of the Western Cape’s broader flood recovery programme.”

At the time Simmers said the department’s projection to reopen the pass for traffic by the end of October 2026 is subject to construction progress and weather conditions.

Recently Novanews reached out to the department about recent developments on the ongoing construction. Melchior Botes, another spokesperson for the department, confirmed with the publication that the Franschhoek Pass would remain close until further notice.

“The pass remains closed to all traffic, including pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, light and heavy motor vehicles. An update on reopening will be provided at the beginning of October 2026.”

Botes added that “Good progress is being made on the Du Toits River Bridge which is one of the key reasons for the full closure.”

On enquiring about Franschhoek Pass questions were also raised about how the new damage in May affected the progress that has already been made before. The department was also asked what the timeline for completing the original work on the pass is and when it will reopen. A definite time of reopening was, however, not provided.

“The recent flood had an impact on the existing project in the sense that working days were lost due to inclement weather but not significantly so,” explained Botes.

“The additional slips that formed did not impact on existing works and existing works are continuing alongside the new flood-related works. The initial project is still on track to be completed on the original timeline.”

Read Also: Two Western Cape passes closed indefinitely after flood damage

Novanews reached out to a few business in Franschhoek Pass about the impact of the closure on them.

Tiaan Jooste, restaurant manager at Le Lude Estate, said the past few months were very quiet with the cold weather. “This will, however, be a problem with the upcoming summer and the pass remains closed. People usually like to take the scenic drive as well.”

A hotel within the vicinity of the pass anonymously said they were told the pass will be reopened only next year due to the damage the Du Toits River Bridge suffered.

Over the years Franschhoek Pass has suffered major damage as a result of severe weather conditions, which led to the closure of the Pass.

• Damage was reported during June 2009.

• On 22 June 2019 there was a rock slide which left a motorist injured.

• In September 2023 severe weather conditions hit the Western Cape that resulted in slope failures among other damage. Contractors are still busy with repair work.