A R73.6 million Western Cape Government flood-damage repair project is making good progress on 10km of the Seven Passes road near George, with completion targeted for March 2027.

Provincial minister of infrastructure Tertuis Simmers said the project, which also covers district roads west of George and a road at Wittedrif near Plettenberg Bay, is delivering benefits beyond infrastructure.

Fixes along the MR355

Five failed culverts on the MR355 are being replaced with concrete pipes, while slips are being repaired using piling and reinforced concrete decks in three places.

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Reinforced earth and gabion retaining walls are being used in seven slip areas, with reinforced earth and a dry stack stone wall in another. Drainage pipes are being replaced with larger diameter concrete pipes, and subsided surfaced sections are having their layerworks restored before resurfacing.

Bridges and raised roads in the district

One failed causeway will be replaced on each of the district roads DR1602, DR1633 and DR1639 in the agricultural areas west of George and north of Brak River.

The causeway on DR1602 will be replaced with a bridge once environmental authorisation is obtained, with the road’s geometric alignment also being improved for safety. At Wittedrif between Plettenberg Bay and Keurboomstrand, a failed causeway on DR1791 will be replaced and a 150m section of road raised by about one metre to tie into the new structure.

Jobs and spend for local communities

“In addition to the benefits for residents and visitors of our infrastructure projects, these projects also benefit local labourers, targeted enterprises, local enterprises and emerging contractors,” said Simmers.

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“A total of 10 458 person-days of local labour has so far been utilised on this project against a target of 11 500. A total of 92 work opportunities has been created against a target of 135. R10.3 million has been spent on targeted enterprises against a target of R18.9 million. Goods and services have been procured from 4 local enterprises against a target of 6, and from 4 emerging contractors against a target of 3”, he added.