The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DOI) and its appointed professional team is making good progress on Louis Fourie Road in Mossel Bay. This R540 million project is the largest provincial government investment in road infrastructure in the Garden Route District. Works are expected to be completed in August 2026.
The project entails routine maintenance work on about 6.0km of existing roadway, the upgrading of just over 3.0km 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 bi-directional road under rail bridge on Garret Street and building a new road to link Garret Street with Gericke Street.
“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 underway,” said Jandré Bakker, DOI Director: Operational Support.
“Road users are now using the new entry to the Langeberg Mall which is already bringing great relief to the traffic congestion to and from the 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 and the positive spirit in which they have supported the DOI,” Bakker continued.
“While work on the intersections continues, road users are reminded of the current widening of the road embankment on a section of Louis Fourie Road between George Road and Marsh Street. Other works currently underway include the resurfacing of Louis Fourie Road between Voorbaai and Hartenbos up to the offramp towards Kleinbrakrivier. We further remind road users of the temporary closure of Bally Crescent from 6 to 5 November for reconstruction, if all goes according to plan. Alternative access is via Watson Street and Bolton Road,” he added.
“According to the latest project programme the planned progress should be at 75% complete and we are currently at 74%. I am pleased to report that the N2 onramp and offramps have been completed, and the pedestrian walkway to Sonskynvallei has also been completed,” said Tertuis Simmers, Provincial Minister of Infrastructure. “We have overcome earlier obstacles, namely underground services that had not been accurately mapped,” he added.
“Up until the last report date, the project had created 41 423 person-days of work against a target of 58 000 person-days and created 282 work opportunities against a target of 250. It spent R67.7 million of its spending on targeted enterprises, and another R7.2 million was spent on procurement from local enterprises. A total of R8.9 million has been spent on emerging contractor development and I look forward to seeing these numbers grow even more towards the completion of the project which is still on track,” Minister Simmers added.
Inconvenience to road users
“We are well aware of the inconvenience of roadworks,” said Minister Simmers.
“We remain confident that the long-term benefit of this road upgrade will outweigh the short-term inconvenience to road users and that the investment in infrastructure will unlock economic opportunities in Mossel Bay and surrounds,” he continued.
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Fun South African Fact: The aboriginal people of South Africa are the San and the Khoi.
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Fun South African Fact: The Dutch and the British fought over South Africa.