25 June 2023
Minister Simmers is delighted with the urgent repairs as the Citrusdal Main Road (R303) reopens.
The Western Cape province was recently hit by severe storms which led to floods and major damage to infrastructure. The Citrusdal R303 was one of the worst affected roads during the recent floods in the area. Late Saturday afternoon the R303 was reopened to traffic.
Sections of the main road which connects Citrusdal with the N7 were destroyed when the Olifantsriver overflowed its banks. This damage led to portions of the Citrusdal community being cut off. The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure worked closely with the West Coast District Municipality to repair the road.
The work to repair and reopen the road took 10 days after being washed away. The work included repairing of a riverbank and section of road which was damaged by the flood. Traffic will travel on a gravel section for a short period while rebuild works continue.
Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers applauded the collaborative efforts between the spheres of government. The Executive Mayor of West Coast District Municipality, Alderman Boffie Strydom, said: “The is a product of effective and efficient collaboration between the district municipality, provincial government, Cederberg municipality and the private sector to get the job done. I am extremely proud of the team who worked on this project".
The repairs at affected roads continue and the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers is thrilled at the rapid progress. “I am delighted and proud of the urgent delivery by our teams on the ground. The reopening of this road will not only reconnect a community to the rest of the province but will also see the resumption of economic activity. Hope in the Citrusdal area continues to be restored with greater access to essential services becoming available as well. Those that need to travel to Cape Town for scheduled medical procedures can now do so as planned.”
“I would like to extend my gratitude to all the stakeholders that came on board to assist in these communities' time of need” concluded Minister Simmers.
22 June 2023
The recent heavy rains in the Western Cape led to the damage of infrastructure and the closure of access roads. Since then, progress has been made to reopen certain routes. The R44 Clarence Drive between Gordons Bay and Rooi Els remains open after being closed due to minor rockfalls last week.
The Franschhoek Pass (R45 between Franschhoek and Theewaterskloof Dam) and TR29/2 Nagtwag between Bredasdorp and Arniston (Foreman en route) have been reopened.
Mitchell's Pass between Ceres and Wolseley (TR22/1) is partially closed and a stop and go is in place.
These routes remain closed:
- Visserhok Road (M48 that connects Durbanville and N7)
- Vredendal to Van Rhynsdorp (TR16/01)
- Pont (ferry) at Malgas closed and no crossing allowed: River still flowing too strong, revisiting the status Friday (23 June 2023)
- Urionskraal, Vanrhynsdorp DR2217
- Gifberg, Vanrhynsdorp DR2203
- Algeria (Cederberg) DR1487
- Citrusdal Cederberg Region (MR310 112-113.5 km)
- Brug by Brakfontein gesluit (MR310 omgewing)
- Citrusdal/ Warmbaths Cederberg Region (DR2215 17-28 km)
- Citrusdal Cederberg Region (MR539 0-1.6 km)
- Uitkykpass Cederberg Region (DR1487 19.5-25 km)
- Dwarsrivier Matjiesrivier Cederberg Region (DR1487 52-66 km)
- Clanwilliam/Kransvlei Cederberg Region (DR2184 3-5 km)
- Clanwilliam/Kransvlei Cederberg Region (DR2184 5-6 km)
- Kransvlei DR2184 (Structure)
- Biedouw Valley Cederberg Region (DR2266 31-61 km)
- Wupperthal Beukeskraal Heuningvlei Eselbank Cederberg Region (OP8101)
- Lutzville Strandfontein Matzikama Region (MR546 45-53 km)
- Vredendal Matzikama Region (DR2213 0-4 km)
- Lutzville Tamatiestraat Matzikama Region (OP9721 0-5.61 km)
- Matzikama Region (OP9722)
- Aurora Bergrivier Region (DR2171 11-17 km)
- Aurora Redelinghuys Bergrivier Region (MR534 45-45.4 km)
- Redelinghuys Plaas: Afguns Bergrivier Region
- Redelinghuys Plaas: Grootdrif Bergrivier Region
- Piketberg Moravia/Bergrivier Region OP7608
- Doringboom/Bergrivier Region OP2158
- Klipheuwel /Bergrivier Region OP2152
- Veldrif Flaminkivlei/Bergrivier Region (OP7772 1-4.39 km)
- Bergrivierstasie/Bergrivier Region (MR530 0.5-2 km)
- Hopefield Uilenkraal Swartland /Saldanha Region (OP5324 0-2 km)
- De Doorns Modderdrift structure washed away (DR1489 -B0495)
- Farm access at km 1.5 of Keerweder Road, Drakenstein (OP5627)
- Malherbe Street, de Doorns area Breede Valley (DR1438 0.5-2.5 km)
- Access to Tsalta Farm at km 6 on Voortrekker Road, de Doorns area Breede Valley (OP5742 0.8-0.9 km)
- Brandvlei Korrektiewe Dienste Road, Rawsonville area Breede Valley (DR1390 km 0.10-1 km)
- TR 23/3 Gouda Porterville (Road closure, stop and go to be implemented)
- Moregenson MR215 Philadelphia
18 June 2023
Citrusdal access roads update
In recent days, the Western Cape experienced severe and stormy weather conditions. This led to the damage of infrastructure and the closure of access roads. Citrusdal and Ceres were amongst some of the areas worst affected by this. Teams from the Western Cape Government including the Department of Infrastructure have been hard at work around the clock to restore and re-open the roads, while ensuring that they are safe for public usage.
The main road 310 (MR310) between Citrusdal and Ceres has been partially re-opened to traffic, but people are urged to be cautious and obey all instructions and road signage,. It is accessible for passenger vehicles. We urge the public to drive slowly and carefully as the road has dangerous areas. There are still potholes forming and this may create large holes and will be monitored. This does now however provide an entrance and exit route for Citrusdal.
Below is the latest update on the roads between Citrusdal and Ceres:
Citrusdal - Clanwilliam
Water levels are still above the roadway on the main road 539 and thus not accessible for smaller vehicles, but larger vehicles can use this road.
Olifantsrivier low water bridge
Water levels are unsafe for vehicles at this stage and should not be used.
Citrusdal to N7
Work in this area is still underway. The first phase is the reduction of the water, which will be followed by road reinstatement works. The persistent rains have contributed to the slow progress on this end. Updates on road access will be provided.
15 June 2023
The Western Cape is experiencing stormy weather conditions with considerable downpours and strong wind in areas. It is expected to continue into the weekend. Following on from other updates issued by the Western Cape Government (WCG), the weather has led to several provincial roads being affected.
Across the province the WCG is hard at work to ensure that all provincial roads under its jurisdiction are open to traffic.
The following provincial routes are currently affected:
- Bainskloof Pass: Closed till further notice due to flooding at the causeway leading to the pass
- Franschhoek Pass: Closed due to a slip
- Goudini Road closed due to flooding
- Slanghoek Road: Section of road has been washed away and a single lane traffic accommodation is in place at this section
- Du Toitskloof Pass closed
- Mitchell’s Pass closed due to mudlsides.
The teams are working tirelessly across the road network to reopen routes as soon as they are deemed sufficiently clear and safe.
The department is further closely monitoring the following provincial roads:
- R44 Clarence Drive where we continually launch mop-up operations due to minor rock falls
“I wish to thank the teams that support the work of the department in opening roads as quickly as possible to ensure free flowing traffic throughout the province”, said Tertuis Simmers, Provincial Minister of Infrastructure.
“I further plead with road users to respect and adhere to road closure signage. While a road may look safe, technical experts have different standards they use to determine whether a road should be closed. Road users should further never cross causeways or bridges or drive through roads that are flooded as the road surface may have been damaged or washed away”, added Minister Simmers.
The situation on provincial roads may change as routes are cleared or weather deteriorates or improves and futher updates will be shared.
Media Enquiries:
Mr. Ntobeko Mbingeleli
Spokesperson for Minister Tertuis Simmers
ntobeko.mbingeleli@westerncape.gov.za
021 483 8067 (o)
061 447 7851 (m)