Two of the four major routes to Citrusdal have been reopened and a third will be opened today, weather and water-level permitting.
Also read: Citrusdal isolated as flooding washes out all access roads
This is according to the latest road status update by the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure, which states that repairs to the damaged roads could start as soon as Tuesday, 30 July 2024.
Access to Citrusdal was again severed earlier this month following heavy rains and flooding, one year after access roads were washed away.
In 2023, the section between the 112.84- and 112.93-kilometre markers washed away and was successfully rebuilt.
This year, this section withstood the flooding. However, the section between the 112.74- and 112.84-kilometre markers washed away and must now be rebuilt.
The full section that suffered some form of damage is between the 12.6- and 13.36-kilometre markers.
Water levels need to sufficiently drop to rebuild this section, where the river broke its banks. The Western Cape Government reports that water levels have dropped to such an extent that berms could be put back into place and repairs can now start.
Repairs include:
- Preparing the area
- Constructing a drainage layer (which includes rockfill)
- Layer works
Stop-and-go traffic controls will be implemented as soon as the base layers are in place.
‘As in 2023, the main priority is to establish access as soon as the layer works are complete,’ says advocate Chantal Smith, head of the Department of Infrastructure.
‘The washed-away section of MR310 on the N7-side of Citrusdal will be built back better when compared to its previous state by surfacing road shoulders as protection for overtopping and introducing rockfill embankment support to the compacted layer works. Resurfacing the rebuilt section will follow later.’
‘The community is reminded that such resurfacing will likely only be towards the warmer months to ensure the quality of the resurfacing. In the interim, the section that we will work on is likely to remain a gravel section until resurfacing is complete.’
The total cost of the repairs has not been determined. The dates for when motorists can start using the road and when the final surfacing will be complete are also unknown.
‘While it is tempting to visit the construction site, we urge the community not to come near the construction area,’ says Tertius Simmers, provincial minister of infrastructure.
‘This is for the safety of the community and our teams. Any injury or event could bring the process to a grinding halt and unnecessarily delay the repair.’
‘Given the challenges our community has faced due to the severe weather, I urge all residents and travellers to exercise patience and caution as we work diligently to restore full access to Citrusdal,’ he adds.
‘Your understanding and cooperation [are] vital as we undertake these critical repairs to ensure safe and reliable roadways for everyone. We are committed to completing this work as swiftly and safely as possible, and we appreciate your support during this time.’
Simmers adds that stakeholders are working ‘behind the scenes’ to ensure that the river issues are addressed to lower the likelihood of similar incidents in the future.
‘This will require engagement with multiple roleplayers and will be coordinated across the Western Cape Government, other spheres of government and with other stakeholders. We remain committed to [assisting] where we can.’
Roads open:
- Citrusdal to N7 via Clanwilliam: Route MR539 to DR2183 to N7
- Citrusdal to Ceres: Route via MR310
Road likely to reopen by 27 July 2024 (weather and water level permitting):
- Citrusdal-N7 via MR539 – the low water bridge on this route is underwater and is closed.
The intention is to reopen this road soon, water level permitting.
Road still closed:
- MR310 (R303): Road linking Citrusdal directly to N7
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Picture: Western Cape Government