Good progress on Meiringspoort emergency flood-damage repairs

Media release by Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers

Good progress is being made on the Meiringspoort emergency flood damage response contract along N12 (Trunk Road 33 Section 4) between De Rust and Klaarstroom. Temporary bypasses are being built so that the road can be re-opened to traffic under traffic accommodation control conditions (stop/go signs) by time the festive season begins. If all goes well, the entire project is expected to have been completed by the end of October 2028.

The road surface has been cleared of flood debris and sand deposits and a significant number of the barrels of bridge structures have been cleared. Permanent and temporary repairs to the damaged pavement are underway. Various sections of the road embankment have been repaired. Please note that several short sections of the roadway will have no seal/ surfacing as further permanent works will be required in early 2027 once the construction team returns from the builder’s break between mid-December and mid-January.

Three major new structures will be constructed: two mechanically stabilised earth walls with stone cladding at near the Groot River; and a new reinforced low-level crossing will be built to replace the damaged culvert over the Gerolms River. About 8.4km of continuously reinforced unbonded concrete pavement will be built and the road will be reconstructed in certain other places.

New stone pitched side drains are being built and existing drains repaired. Flood protection works will include the construction of new river revetment walls and embankment protection. Existing stone masonry walls will be extended and repaired. Certain minor culverts will be replaced and other minor culverts repaired. Fencing and damaged services will be repaired in places. Repairs will be implemented in rest areas and the information centre. River training works will be installed to manage flooding risk and protect infrastructure.

“We are pleased to report that these emergency flood damage repairs to Meiringspoort are well underway and we expect partial vehicle access to be restored by the festive season,” said Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers. “We are building back better by constructing protection works that will mitigate the risk of flood damage to this road in the future. We urge communities to work constructively with the project teams to ensure that the project is completed within the planned timeframe. Any disruptions or delays caused by interference with construction activities may affect the project schedule and delay the reopening of this vital route,” he added.

Watch: Progress on emergency flood damage repairs to 21km of the N12 through Meiringspoort

Media enquiries
Stephen Heyns
Acting Head of Communication
Western Cape Department of Infrastructure
Email: stephen.heyns@westerncape.gov.za
Tel: 021 483 0597