SANRAL Halts N2 Garden Route Projects for Festive Season Traffic Flow
The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has announced a temporary suspension of various maintenance and construction projects along the N2 Garden Route, effective at the end of this week. This decision aims to ensure that the roads remain open and traffic flows smoothly during the busy festive season. Randall Cable, SANRAL's Western Region Manager, emphasized the agency's commitment to enhancing road safety and mobility during the holidays.
"The N2 Garden Route is a particularly busy route for holiday travelers and freight operators, and SANRAL will collaborate with all road traffic authorities to support and assist road users during their journeys this holiday season," he stated. As of Friday, December 13, 2024, all maintenance and construction activities will be paused. In Plettenberg Bay, the traffic circle at the Beacon Way Intersection on the N2 is now fully operational, allowing traffic to flow freely in both directions. Any remaining ancillary works that do not disrupt traffic will be completed in the new year.
The ongoing work on the N2 between Kraaibosch and Touw River is progressing well, ensuring that traffic will flow smoothly through both Kaaimans Pass and the N2. Road users traveling from George to Victoria Bay should be aware of a change in lane configuration, with a posted speed limit of 60 kilometers per hour (km/h) in effect between Kraaibosch and Touw River. Periodic maintenance on the N2 between Mossel Bay and Dekriet is nearing completion and is expected to wrap up early in 2025. Importantly, there will be no stop/go closures during the holiday period, allowing for uninterrupted travel. However, between Swellendam and Riversdale, traffic will be managed through stop/go operations, with SANRAL committed to minimizing waiting times despite the anticipated increase in traffic volume. Currently, three stop/go traffic management points are in place on the N2 between Botrivier and Caledon, where periodic maintenance is ongoing. These will be removed by Friday, December 13. In Houwhoek Pass, the full road width will be accessible for two-way traffic during the year-end construction shutdown.
However, a 3-kilometer section of the R43 from the Kleinmond interchange on the N2 will remain closed throughout the festive season. Traffic will be redirected via the Botrivier interchange on the N2, which is conveniently located just 2 kilometers from the closure. Cable reiterated the importance of shared responsibility for road safety, stating, "The road is a shared space, and road safety is a shared responsibility. Working together, we can make the road safer for everyone, including pedestrians." This proactive approach aims to ensure that all road users can enjoy a safe and pleasant travel experience during the holiday season.
