Du Toitskloof Pass reopening postponed due to N1 Huguenot Tunnel incident

The opening of the R101, better known as du Toitskloof Pass, which links Paarl to Rawsonville, was delayed due to the closure of the N1 Huguenot Tunnel, following a bus fire incident that occurred inside the tunnel on Friday, October 3, the provincial government stated.

Western Cape Department of Infrastructure said the du Toitskloof Pass has been closed to traffic since the beginning of September and was scheduled to reopen at the end of October, but certain works had to stop to allow traffic to use the pass as an alternative to the N1.  

"Once the tunnel was reopened, we could close the pass again to continue works, but this has set back our planned reopening date to Monday, November 10. Road users should factor this into their travel plans”, said Jandré Bakker, the department's director for operational support.

“The scope of the project includes asphalt overlays, sealing cracks, repairing ruts larger than 10mm, stabilising the embankment at one point, rehabilitating six major culverts, repairing retaining walls, repairing edge breaks, patching, constructing edge beams, clearing drainage structures, building subsoil drains, building concrete-lined side drains, and repairing and replacing concrete slabs in the tunnel.

"Appurtenant works include replacing road studs, markings, road signage, guard rails and fencing, rehabilitating road shoulders, and replacing edge beams”, Mr Bakker added.

MEC for Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, said this project is an example of periodic maintenance which allows roads to last longer before they need a full replacement, and helps balance the construction of new routes.