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BUSINESS NEWS - Mossel Bay will host the Isuzu Ironman 70.3 on Sunday 22 November 2026, and temporary road closures, lane restrictions and beach access limitations are expected along parts of the town’s road network.

The Mossel Bay Municipality has confirmed that the event has been approved by the Council, and the 2026 race will take place under an approval that was extended for a further three years in June 2024.

The municipality has also granted the event organiser, Ironman 70.3 Mossel Bay (Pty) Ltd, an exemption under Regulation 12 of the Western Cape Noise Control Regulations, 2013. The exemption applies to the transition area at De Bakke Beach, the swim start and finish at Santos Beach, several aid stations along the cycling and running routes, and the awards dinner at the Diaz Beach Hotel car park.

Motorists should take note of the following traffic arrangements:

Road closures and restrictions

R327: N2 intersection to Peach Grove intersection

• Time: 06:30 to 12:30
• Arrangement: Completely closed to traffic.
• Alternative routes: Albertinia/Kleinberg in the west and Brandwacht/Hartebeeskuildam in the east.

N2: Louis Fourie Road to R327 intersections

• Time: 04:00 to 12:45
• Arrangement: The approximately 3km section will be reduced to a 60km/h zone in both directions. The inner lane will be reserved for cyclists, while the outer lanes remain open to vehicles. Eastbound traffic will encounter a stop-and-go at the R327 intersection to allow cyclists to cross.
• Eastbound traffic will encounter a stop-and-go at the R327 intersection to allow cyclists to cross.

Louis Fourie Drive: Marsh Street to the N2

• Time: 04:00 to 13:30
• Arrangement: The speed limit will be reduced to 60km/h, with the inner lane reserved for cyclists. The outer lanes will remain open to traffic.
• Crossover points: Marsh Street; Schoeman/Da Gama Street; Melkhout/Mossel Street; Essenhout/Grunter Street; Mayixhale/Spekboom Street; and Flora Road.

Louis Fourie Drive: Bakke Street to Marsh Street

• Time: 06:15 to 13:30
• Arrangement: Completely closed to traffic.
• Detour: Vehicles can travel between Bakke Street in Fairview and Marsh Street in Da Nova via Eiland Street, Alhof Drive and Da Gama Street. This route passes D’Almeida, Ridgeview Primary School and Da Nova SuperSpar.
• An alternative is to use the N2 between Die Voorbaai/Hartenbos and Central/Heiderand/KwaNonqaba/Dana Bay.

George Road: Louis Fourie Road to Rudie Barnard Street

• Time: 04:00 to 16:30
• Arrangement: Completely closed to traffic.
• Residents of De Bakke can use 6th Avenue and Marsh Street for access.

George Road: Church Street to Rudie Barnard Street

• Time: 04:00 to 16:30
• Arrangement: The lanes towards De Bakke will remain open, while the lanes towards the Point will be closed.
• Church Street will serve as a crossover for vehicles travelling to the harbour, Diaz Museum, Protea Hotel and Checkers Centre.

Bland Street: Church Street to Beach Street

• Time: 04:00 to 16:30
• Arrangement: Completely closed to traffic.
• Beach Street will remain a crossover for vehicles accessing Gate 3 of the Port of Mossel Bay. Drivers should use Daley and Kloof streets to reach the gate.
• Residents of Daley Street, Huckle Street and Beacon Point must use Beach Street to access Mossel Bay Central.

Bland Street: Point Street to Kloof Street

• Arrangement: The lane towards De Bakke will remain open from Point Road up to Beach Road.
• Residents of Point Village may only turn right out of Wallace Road towards Mossel Bay Central.

Munro Street: George Road to the lower gate of the Dias Museum

• Time: 04:00 to 16:30
• Arrangement: The road will be closed, with one lane reserved for residents to exit via the Port of Mossel Bay between 04:00 and 08:45.
• Vehicles will only be able to return after 16:30.
• Visitors to Santos Beach, Santos Express and Jackal on the Beach should park elsewhere and walk via Munro Beach.

Station Street: Church/Market streets to Bland Street

• Time: 04:00 to 16:30
• Arrangement: Closed to traffic. Drivers should use Church Street to cross George Road.

Coastal Walkway: Kloof Street to Point Road

• Time: 08:00 to 16:30
• Arrangement: Closed to the public while athletes use the pathway towards the Point.

Residents are to take note of the road closures that will affect them.

Beach access and swimming restrictions

Swimming and surfing will not be permitted at Santos and De Bakke beaches from 05:00 to 09:00 on race day.

The restriction applies to the swim start, swim exit and the section of shoreline in between, in accordance with the municipality’s by-law relating to the control of the seashore and sea.

Plan ahead

Residents, visitors and motorists are advised to allow extra travelling time, familiarise themselves with the affected routes and make alternative arrangements where necessary.

The municipality has warned that the arrangements may change. The full public notice and enlarged route maps are available on the Mossel Bay Municipality website at www.mosselbay.gov.za.

Enquiries can be directed to A Nel at Mossel Bay Municipality on 044 606 6129 or by email at [email protected].

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