The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DoI) says it is making progress on the R1.165-billion MR191 road improvement project, as well as the associated flood-damage repairs along the Franschhoek Pass.

The project, which includes road upgrades, resurfacing and extensive repairs following severe flooding, is scheduled for completion in July next year, should everything go according to plan.

It is expected that Franschhoek Pass will be open for the builders’ break from mid-December to mid-January, subject to stop/go controls.

The pass sustained extensive damage following severe rainfall in October 2023, which resulted in 16 slope failures/slips.

Further heavy rainfall in May this year caused five additional slips and erosion at the Du Toits River bridge abutment on the Villiersdorp side.

The additional flood-damage repair work has been incorporated into the broader MR191 upgrading project.

The project includes widening and upgrading 9.57 km of the MR191 between Old Paarl Road (MR189) and Helshoogte Road (MR172) to a Class 1 road; repairing 14 km of road between the Helshoogte intersection and the Franschhoek urban area; repairing around 16 km of road between Franschhoek and the Theewaterskloof dam; upgrading and maintaining drainage structures to improve stormwater management; and reconstructing damaged road surfaces and stabilising vulnerable slopes.

Specialised engineering interventions include the roll-out of soil nails, high-strength steel mesh, anchored gabion walls and reinforced concrete slope protection.

Work is also progressing on asphalt surfacing, pavement reconstruction, drainage improvements and repairs to the Du Toits River bridge abutment, says the DoI.

These interventions are designed to repair existing damage and to improve the road’s ability to withstand future severe weather events.

To date 357 work opportunities have been created, 57 local enterprises have supplied goods and services, and six emerging contractors have benefited through subcontracting opportunities.