Media Release by Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers
Date: 14 November 2023
The Hemel-en-Aarde Road which connects Sandbaai (Hermanus) and Caledon has been reopened with Stop-and-Go traffic accommodation. The first vehicles traversed the pass on Tuesday, 14 November 2023. This comes exactly a week after the reopening of the Franschhoek Pass.
The road was closed following a severe weather system which hit the Western Cape during the Heritage Day long weekend. The teams started working on temporary repairs as soon as the engineering team was satisfied that the slips (landslides) had stabilised sufficiently. The bypasses were completed to allow access to the road.
The provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, expressed his joy on the reopening of Hemel-en-Aarde and said, “The reopening of this road-pass is significant not only to the surrounding communities but also businesses and the agriculture sector. This will allow for the resumption of commercial activities in the region. The agriculture sector will be able to get their produce quicker to markets and elevate the stress of excess inventory management.”
“It is a connector for tourists to the area and the sector will once again leverage from this invaluable route,” Minister Simmers added.
The Minister continued and said, “I am aware of the inconvenience the closure has had on the local community and industry as well as visitors and we know that there will be delays with the Stop-and-Go traffic accommodation, but this is less than the time spent using the alternative route.”
The reopening will also significantly reduce the traffic volume on Karwyderskraal Road. On the reopened portion of the route, there are two Stop-and-Go points. The public is requested to remain patient and plan for the waiting periods at these Stop-and-Go points, especially over the coming festive season.
The department foresees that it will still be a considerable period before the road will allow full two-way traffic. Temporary closures are highly likely during the future construction period. Where there are planned closures, it will be announced on the Western Cape Government website.
Media Queries:
Jandre Bakker
Head of Communication
Department of Infrastructure
E-mail: Jandre.Bakker@westerncape.gov.za
Mr. Ntobeko Mbingeleli
Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers
ntobeko.mbingeleli@westerncape.gov.za
021 483 8067 (o)
061 447 7851 (m)