WESTERN CAPE – The full and permanent restoration of the Meiringspoort Pass will take at least two years and will cost hundreds of millions of Rand, but the Western Cape Government is committed to delivering a temporary solution as soon as possible this year.
This according to Western Cape Premier Alan Winde.
This week Winde, Minister Tertuis Simmers and Minister Anton Bredell visited parts of the Meiringspoort Pass and received a briefing from the Department of Infrastructure officials on progress made towards restoration of this critical road.
“Vital routes such as Meiringspoort are economic and mobility lifelines for regional communities. Our focus is on ensuring that we restore this route as soon as possible, to protect jobs and livelihoods.
“Subject to favourable conditions, a temporary solution will be in place within the next 6 months, which will see the road reopened to vehicles with strict access control measures in place,” said the Premier.
Meiringspoort was severely damaged in recent severe weather, with flood lines double the height of the 1996 flood. This heritage pass which connects the Klein and Great Karoo’s consists of 20 river crossings, all of which were damaged in some way.
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Four major sections of the road were completely washed away. As soon as it was safe to do so following the storm events, procurement and emergency reinstatement work commenced with contractors on site from the end of June.
Several environmental, engineering and heritage considerations guide the reinstatement and restoration of the road, making this work particularly sensitive and complex.
Minister Simmers outlined that debris is being cleared on the De Rust-side, with teams working tirelessly to reopen the road.
“Currently, our teams have started with clearing debris on the De Rust-side of the poort and similar works will soon start from the Klaarstroom-side.
“The Western Cape Government understands that circumstances for residents and local businesses are extremely difficult. That is why we are doing everything we can to restore access through temporary works, while permanent restoration continues,” said Simmers.
Bredell said, “The Western Cape Government is balancing environmental and engineering priorities to ensure that we build back better, while preserving the natural heritage of this route.”
Winde thanked the residents and officials for their resilience under incredibly difficult circumstances.
“Our officials were on the ground as soon as it was safe to do so. Under incredibly difficult circumstances, officials worked their way up the pass, often on foot, to assess damage and map out the rebuild.
“Safely reopening this road is key to growth and jobs – this remains our absolute priority. Thank you to residents and officials for everything you are doing to support and rebuild our communities.”
The Premier, Simmers and Bredell concluded the visit with a public meeting in Klaarstroom, where communities were able to hear directly from the Western Cape Government about restoration efforts and timelines.
This afternoon, the Premier was expected to visit the Swartberg Pass and meet with Prince Albert residents.
Meanwhile the MR 201 (Bainskloof Pass section) that sustained significant flood damage and had to be fully closed, has been reopened for traffic on 10 July.
According to the Department of Infrastructure and Public Works the repairs have reached a stage where it can be partially reopened
“All existing restrictions on the pass with regards to heavy motor vehicles remain in place.”
The Franschhoek Pass remains closed indefinitely due to storm damage.
