MOSSEL BAY NEWS - As part of the Louis Fourie Road upgrade, the intersection at Louis Fourie Road and Beach Blvd West (opposite Boland Park) leading into Dias Strand will be temporarily closed due to upgrading of this intersection. 

It will be closed between 8 and 12 July.

Road users are requested to use alternative access via the Louis Fourie / Beach Blvd East intersection (at Tiremart) during this period.

The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DOI) has stated that upgrades along 2.75km of Louis Fourie Road are set to be completed in 2026.

The project involves turning the existing single carriageway along this section into a dual carriageway, building two new bridges and upgrading all of the intersections.

The statement from the DOI notes that the project is unusually complex as it includes the relocation of services such as municipal water mains, a municipal sewer trunk line, a municipal electrical substation, and additional protection works to the PetroSA pipelines.

The project also has to accommodate the relocation of the existing Telkom cables along the route into new ducting, and the installation of a new level crossing for Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) at the Langeberg Mall entrance.

"The DOI is well aware that members of the public are frustrated by traffic congestion caused by construction works along this route, and we offer our sincere apologies," said acting head of department, Advocate Chantal Smith.

"We are doing everything in our power to ensure the project progresses as quickly as possible. 

"That said, the upgrading of this section of Louis Fourie Road involves major works along a busy road for an extended period. The work will continue for approximately two more years. We are confident that, once the project is finally complete, its benefit for Mossel Bay and nearby towns will be felt for years to come," she added.

A temporary bypass is in use between the Boland Park and Via Appie intersections so that permanent roadworks can commence on the western (sea side) of Louis Fourie Road. The rest of the bypass between Via Appie and Garret Street will be completed in due course.

Work on the foundation and lower road layers is under way between Agrimark and just beyond Boland Park. The statement noted that most of the new stormwater system has been put in place here and new streetlights have been installed along this section.

Beach Boulevard

The DOI noted that construction of the Beach Boulevard West intersection will begin soon, with a short closure of the intersection to allow for full-width construction. Traffic will be diverted through the east intersection during this period.

A temporary two-way bypass will then be constructed at the TotalEnergies garage intersection (Industry Road).

Other intersection upgrades at Industry Road and Beach Boulevard East are also being planned. These intersections may also be closed for about three days during construction.

Half-width construction of these intersections will cause longer periods of congestion of a month or more per intersection.

The concrete retaining walls are mostly complete on both sides of the road allowing Telkom to install their new cables and fibre lines along the entire construction zone.

Blinde River Bridge

Work for the foundations of the new Blinde River Bridge on the inland side of Louis Fourie is nearly complete.

The lanes open to traffic have moved to the western (inland) side so that piling can be installed on the eastern side. The DOI said that with the limited workspace at the Blinde River, it expects slow traffic for about one year while the eastern side of the bridge is built.

New traffic signals were installed at the Shell Voorbaai garage so that the Alwyndal link to the N2 bridge could be upgraded.

The DOI notes it is aware these signals are slowing the flow of traffic, but this is a necessary step. These signals will remain in place for about a year. Further ways to alleviate the congestion are currently being assessed.

The biggest challenge to traffic flow will come when construction commences at the entrance to Langeberg Mall. The DOI noted that traffic accommodation will be carefully planned to minimise access delays and enable construction.

Garret Street Bridge

Construction of the Garret Street Bridge has been completed and backfilling of the rail embankment is almost complete. DOI noted in the statement that once this is done, Transnet will reinstate the railway lines.

Half-width construction is under way on Garret Street under the bridge.

When construction begins on the portion of Louis Fourie Road from Vyfbrakkefontein to beyond the end of Garret Street, traffic will be accom-modated under half-width operation so that stormwater installation and road construction can proceed.

The main contractor is on track to meet its contract participation goals in respect of spending on local subcontractors.

The subcontract to build the safe pedestrian sidewalk at Sonskynvallei has been awarded and work is expected to commence soon.

Other subcontracts have been awarded to local sub-contractors for work that includes the excavation of trenches, the construction of gabion walls, pipe laying, manhole construction and kerbing.

‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’