Trunk Road 9/2 (TR9/2) better known as the R101, Du Toitskloof Pass, is currently closed to traffic for periodic maintenance over a 21km stretch. Often referred to as the “old pass” it connects Paarl and Rawsonville/Worcester. The alternative route is the N1 through the Huguenot Tunnel (toll road).
“The route is closed from 1 September 2025 and if all goes according to plan, it will be reopened to traffic by 1 November 2025. However, there may be traffic accommodation (stop-and-go) until the completion of the project,” said Jandré Bakker, Director Operational Support in the Department of Infrastructure. “This contract, with an anticipated final project value of R138,074,591.90 (excluding VAT) commenced on 15 January 2025 and is planned to last for 11 months concluding, if all goes according to plan, by 15 December 2025, ahead of the December construction recess,” Bakker added.
Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers is excited about the ambitious contract participation goals. “In this contract we set a target of 18 000 person days of work which translates to 140 work opportunities,” said Minister Simmers. “We further set a target of more than R20 million to be spent on targeted enterprises with 12 contracts that will go to Construction Industry Development Board Grade 1CE and 2CE local enterprise contractors,” Minister Simmers added.
“There is no good time for roadworks from a road user perspective, and we appreciate the inconvenience roadworks cause road users, even more in a case like this where the route must be fully closed. But the long-term benefit, including extending the design life of a road, outweighs the short-term inconvenience. These periodic maintenance projects add to our road network being one of the best in the country. I wish to thank road users for their patience during this time and look forward to having them enjoy this scenic route with its improvements,” he concluded.
Additional information (project scope)
As the aim of this project is periodic maintenance, the scope of work involves the following:
- Pre-treatment of defects:
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- Repair of edge breaks,
- Surfacing and base repair (patching)
- Construction of edge beams
- Localised herringbone subsoil drains construction
- Limited application of crack sealing
- Repair rutting>10mm
- Asphalt overlay
- Repairs and replacement of concrete slabs in the tunnel
- Drainage:
- Clearing of culvert inlets, kerb inlets, stormwater chutes and side drains
- Construction of concrete lined side drains
- Installation of subsoil drains
- Structural works:
- Rehabilitation of 6 major culverts
- Repair of existing retaining walls
- Construction of an embankment stabilisation at km7.2
- Appurtenant works:
- Replacing road studs and markings
- Replacing road Signage
- Replacing guard rails and fencing
- Construction of kilometre markers
- Gravel shoulder rehabilitation
- Replacement of edge beams
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