MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Construction work on Louis Fourie Road, through Mossel Bay, is at 66% of the total project, according to the Department of Infrastructure (DOI).
A statement from the DOI notes: “This project is still on track to be completed by the end of the second quarter of the 2026/27 financial year,” Provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, confirmed. The second quarter is July to September.
“While the work on Louis Fourie Road is progressing well, we are also pleased to announce other significant milestones.
“Since our last update, the new on-ramp from Vyfbrakkefontein Road to the N2 and the new off-ramp from the N2 to Vyfbrakkefontein Road were opened,” said Jandré Bakker, acting director: Operational Support at the DOI.
“This improved traffic congestion considerably at the temporary fuel station intersection.
“The intersection construction on the ocean side of Louis Fourie Road at Garret Street was completed, along with the opening of the Gericke Road link, which also eases pressure on Louis Fourie Road,” Bakker continued.
Milestones in the coming months will include:
• The switchover to the newly-constructed carriageway between Vredebest Packaging, Voorbaai to the end of the construction limit (over the new Blinde River bridge structure) expected by mid-July 2025.
• Continued works on the new alignment to the entrance of the Langeberg Mall, with the new entrance becoming operational by September 2025.
• Closures on the land side of the project for the construction of the intersections (like the closures at Beach Boulevard, Watson Street, Garret Street, etc.). The closure dates for these intersection upgrades will be communicated in due course.
Progress
Simmers is satisfied with the progress to date. “The most recent figures, up to the end of May 2025, show that R44 million of the R85 million has been spent on targeted enterprises.
“The target of 58 000 person days of work is also well on its way to being reached, with the most recent verified figure standing at 35 700.
“This means 270 work opportunities have already been achieved, which exceeds the target of 250,” Simmers noted.
He said good progress had been made in terms of local subcontractor development programmes.
Despite challenges, there had been 24 subcontract work packages in the total estimated amount of more than R10.2 million thus far.
The number of dedicated subcontract work packages would increase as the project progressed towards the completion of the major structures and layer works, Simmers noted.
Concerns and inconvenience
The DOI said it was well aware of the inconvenience the roadworks were causing. It said Louis Fourie Road was already under significant strain due to heavy traffic volumes - one of the main reasons for the upgrades.
Simmers said: “I have noted the comments by the public about ponding along the new section, which went in use at the end of April 2025, but road users should remember that the final asphalt surfacing will only be instated towards the end of the project, which will align the road level to the drainage structures.”
The DOI thanked road users for their patience during the construction period.
“We remain confident that the long-term benefit will out-perform the short-term inconvenience of road users and that the investment in infrastructure will unlock even more economic opportunities,” Simmers concluded.
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