Increasing incidents of irresponsible road use may result in the Western Cape’s Department of Infrastructure fully closing Franschhoek Pass during repairs. Reports indicate that vehicles are bypassing road closure signs and ignoring flagmen.
This disregard for safety regulations disrupts repair work, impacting both time and budget.
According to the Western Cape’s Provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, flagmen are disregarded and have to let vehicles pass for the flagmen’s safety as vehicles simply drive through.
This brings work to a standstill, which has time and subsequent budget implications. It also affects when the crane can be moved to allow for afternoon and weekend traffic, causing the daily reopening to be delayed.
Also read: Franschhoek Pass scheduled for daily closures until the end of February
Advocate Chantal Smith, the acting head of the department, stressed the importance of site team safety.
‘More drastic approaches include a hard and full closure of the pass while the repairs are effected. This is because the safety of our site teams is of utmost importance. They are already working in a high-risk setting and we cannot allow irresponsible road user behaviour to put their safety at risk,’ she said.
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Consequently, a complete closure of the pass is under consideration, which would significantly affect local traffic.
‘Such a full closure will have a significant impact on the area but the safety of road users and site staff has to be considered first. We plead with road users to respect the closure times,’ she explained.
Minister Simmers condemned the reckless actions and the risk to road workers’ safety they pose. He warned that a full closure remains a final option, but it will be implemented if such behaviour persists. He said that the risk of collisions in areas with poor visibility is a serious concern.
‘While a full closure remains an absolute last resort, I will not hesitate to instruct the team to effect such a closure if this behaviour continues. There are also other works being done in areas with poor line of sight where motorists could collide with people and equipment,’ he said.
Currently, the pass is closed on weekdays from 8am to 4:59pm and open on weekends and weekday evenings, with ‘proceed when safe’ arrangements.
The public is urged to respect these closure times to ensure safety and efficient repair progress.
8 January 2024 to the end of February 2024 daily closure schedule:
Monday to Friday:
- Open from 12am to 7:59am
- Closed from 8am to 5pm
- Open from 5:01pm to 11:59pm
Saturday and Sunday:
- Open all-day
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