MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The expected completion date of maintenance and upgrades on Louis Fourie Road has been narrowed down to August 2026.
The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DoI) released its most recent progress update on 1 October.
The DoI said the project entails:
• routine maintenance work on about 6km of existing roadway,
• the upgrading of just over 3km of road from a single carriageway to a dual carriageway,
• upgrading intersections,
• constructing a central median,
• realigning and upgrading the Langeberg Mall access road,
• rebuilding the on- and offramp to the N2,
• constructing a new bridge over the Blinde River,
• constructing a pedestrian walkway from Waboom Road to Sonskynvallei,
• a new bidirectional road under the rail bridge on Garret Street and
• building a new road to link Garret Street with Gericke Street.
Current works
“Bulk earthworks and road layers are under construction on the land side of Louis Fourie Road, the intersections on the land side are being rebuilt, the Blinde River Bridge is under construction on the land side, and stormwater infrastructure, paving, streetlights and subsoil utility works are under way,” said Jandré Bakker, the DoI’s Director of Operational Support.
Bakker said road users are now using the new entry to the Langeberg Mall.
“We wish to thank road users, but especially the businesses located in and management of the Langeberg Mall for their patience during the construction process,” Bakker continued.
George Road
While work on the intersections continues, Bakker also reminded road users of the current widening of the road embankment on a section of Louis Fourie Road between George Road and Marsh Street.
Other works currently under way include the resurfacing of Louis Fourie Road between Voorbaai and Hartenbos up to the offramp towards Klein-Brakrivier.
He further reminded road users of the temporary closure of Bally Crescent from 6 to 29 October for reconstruction, if all goes according to plan. Alternative access is via Watson Street and Bolton Road.
Provincial Minister
Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers said they were pleased to report that the N2 on- and offramp have been completed, as well as the pedestrian walkway.
“We have overcome obstacles, namely underground services, that had not been accurately mapped, and are replacing ageing infrastructure to avoid building a new road,” Simmers said.
Simmers added that the project had created 41 423 person days of work against a target of 58 000, and created 282 work opportunities against a target of 250.
The department said the upgrade was a R540m project.
According to Simmers, R64.8m has been spent on targeted enterprises, and another R6.5m was spent on procurement from local enterprises.
“A total of R8.7m has been spent on emerging contractor development, and I look forward to seeing these numbers grow towards the completion of the project, which is still on track,” he added.
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