Repairs to flood-damaged roads along the flower route in the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape are receiving priority after devastating floods destroyed infrastructure.
REPAIRS to flood-damaged roads along the flower route in the Namakwa District in the Northern Cape are receiving priority after devastating floods destroyed infrastructure.
Roads in the Richtersveld, Kamiesberg, Nama-Khoi, Hantam and Karoo Hoogland municipalities were swept away by torrential rain that lasted for two weeks starting on June 27.
Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works spokesperson Zandisile Luphahla said they were still assessing the extent of the damage and were currently not able to provide an estimate of the cost of the repairs.
The region was declared a disaster area on July 3, while a team of technicians and engineers were sent to affected areas to determine the extent of the damage caused to regional and provincial road infrastructure.
The MEC for Roads and Public Works, Fufe Makatong, visited the area on July 12 and 13 to assess the state of road repairs ahead of the flower season.
She stated that major routes linking tourists to flower spots were being bladed and repaired to allow explorers to enjoy the flower season.
“The department has been working tirelessly to repair some of the affected roads using existing resources and creating detours that are safe and drivable. This will allow communities to commute and engage in economic activities that support their livelihoods,” said Makatong.
“We are under enormous pressure to get the economy of the district active again. The schools are reopening next week, which means learners from far-flung areas who are using learner transport should be able to go back to school without any difficulty.”
The MEC added that warning signs had been erected on affected roads that were undergoing repairs.
“We still have some roads which are slippery. Road users are urged to abide by road rules and warning signs and not make use of roads that are deemed dangerous. We will be communicating frequently on the roads that are drivable and those that are not in a good state.”
Makatong stated that learner transport in far-flung areas was not expected to be affected when the schools re-open next week.
“The following roads that connect pupils to their respective schools are drivable: Hondeklip Bay and Klipfontein, which connects learners of Garies Kharkams High; the Eksteenfontein road that connects learners to Steinkopf Secondary school; and Lekkersing road that connects Alexander Bay and Port Nolloth high schools.”
She added that the South African National Roads Agency had reported that the Vioolsdrift N7 road that connected Steinkopf Secondary School was also open to traffic.
“Work is under way on the road through Kleinzee, Rooipad, Komaggas, Buffelsrivier and Springbok, connecting learners with the Kleinzee Special School, Springbok High School, Matjieskloof High School and Saint Anna.”
Makatong added that the department was conducting an in-depth engineering assessment on the Springbok to Buffelsrivier Road (MR745) to design and reconstruct the road.
“Any member of the public who wants to report a section of the road can send pictures and GPS co-ordinates to our Roads WhatsApp-line number 066 5815 626. We call on members of the public to remain vigilant as heavy-duty vehicles are on various routes and require the patience and co-operation of the public.”
Makatong said the following routes were safe and open to the public:
Richtersveld municipal area
– Lekkersing: The gravel road (DR2960) connecting Alexander Bay, Port Nolloth, Steinkopf and Springbok.
– Eksteensfontein: The Grasvlakte to Eksteensfontein (DR2962) road connecting Port Nolloth, Steinkopf, and Springbok.
– Kleinzee: Kleinzee to Port Nolloth (MR746) road connecting Port, Nolloth, Steinkopf and Springbok.
Getting to Port Nolloth
From Buffelsrivier go to Komaggas on DR2955 (tarred road) and proceed straight through the Rooipad on DR2964, at the junction of the Rooipad and a tarred road, you turn right to Kleinzee using MR751. Drive through the town of Kleinzee past Grootmis on the Witpad using MR745 to the turn-off to Port Nolloth and take a left turn onto the MR746 towards the tarred road that goes to Port Nolloth. At the junction, turn left towards Port Nolloth or right towards Steinkopf through TR8201.
Kamiesberg municipal area
Hondeklip Bay through Klipfontein to N7-road is accessible. This road connects Hondeklip Bay, Klipfontein to Garies and Springbok.
Nama-Khoi Municipal area
– Vioolsdrift: Sanral repaired the damaged section on the N7. This road connects Steinkopf, Port Nolloth Alexander Bay, Oranjemund and Springbok.
Hantam Municipal area
– Bonne Kraal to Middelpos (DR2275) road connects Williston, Fraserburg and Sutherland.
– Ceres to Karoo (MR316) also known as Bloukrans Pass: The road is accessible; it connects with Ceres and Calvinia.
– Calvinia B road (DR2277) to Verlateplaat (Sonop), the road is accessible.
Karoo Hoogland Municipal area
· Voorstelegplek to Tankwa (DR2253), the road is repaired; it connects with Calvinia.
· Allemanshoek to Merweville to Western Cape Border (DR2254), the road is accessible, but work is still in progress on site. This road connects with Sutherland and Merweville.
Furthermore, the public should take note of the following warnings:
– Only bakkies are allowed on the Port Nolloth to Bontekoe (MR745) gravel road.
– The Studer’s pass is a serious altitude gaining gravel pass which is located between Garies and the small settlement of Leliesfontein and Paulshoek and it is still closed.
– Hondeklip Bay to Koingnaas Road (MR751) and Springbok to Buffelsrivier Road (MR745) remain closed until further notice.
The Department encourages the use of the detour route:
Drive from Springbok on the N7-road to Kamieskroon to Soebatsfontein (DR2945), drive through the Namaqua National Park to Komaggas (DR2949) and proceed to Buffelsrivier. The road users are reminded that the National Park is a protected area and all road users need to adhere to the rules of SANParks as well as the conditions set in terms of Section 86 of the National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998) and the National Environmental Act; Protected Areas Act (Act 57 of 2003) when entering this zone
– Major damage was caused to a section of the road washed away and designs are needed where a section of the road between Springbok to Buffelsrivier Road (MR745) collapsed and Hondeklip Bay to Koingnaas Road (MR751) also known as ‘Swartlyntjies’.
