After being declared unsafe for use due to severe storm damage, the City’s urban mobility directorate has confirmed the closure of Kloof Road, stretching from Kloof Nek Road to Round House Road, for a minimum of 12 months.
Also read: Resurfacing of roads in Dunoon remains on schedule
A level nine storm event wreaked havoc across the Western Cape during the long weekend of 24 September 2023, triggering significant landslides. The weekend’s relentless rainfall, compounded by an already saturated environment, led to uncontrolled surface water runoff.
This instability resulted in what experts term a ‘slip failure’ of the slope along Kloof Road. In simpler terms, the road surface and its underlying layers are currently precarious, rendering them unsafe for public use.
A civil engineering geotechnics specialist will lead the investigation and develop a repair plan. Once this process is completed, the City will decide on the best approach for restoring the embankment and rebuilding the washed-out section of Kloof Road.
Given the scope and complexity of the damage, pinpointing specific timelines is difficult at this point. However, it is estimated that it will take between 12 and 18 months to fully reopen the road.
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The City’s mayoral committee member for urban mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, acknowledged the importance of this access route.
‘We will be sure to update the public as we progress with the project. We fully understand the importance of this access route and will try our utmost to expedite the work as far as possible,’ he said.
For the safety of the public, it is imperative that Kloof Road remain closed until comprehensive repairs are completed. The City said that implementing a stop-go system or opening only one lane along this section is not feasible.
The City extended its gratitude to residents for their understanding and patience during this time.
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Expect water disruptions in these parts of Cape Town this week
Picture: Tim Johnson / Unsplash
