The City of Cape Town’s Transport Directorate is set to begin major roadworks along Philip Kgosana Drive in June. The roadworks on the important access route to and from the CBD will involve stabilising the median slopes along the drive.
Construction works will take place on weekdays from 09:00 to 15:00; and on Saturdays from 08:00 to 16:00. Night work is not planned at this stage, but if needed, this will take place between 20:00 and 04:00; and on Sundays for 24 hours.
One of the outbound lanes will be closed to traffic while work is ongoing. Flag personnel will be on duty to assist and signage will be in place, but the City recommends that road users consider using alternative routes as traffic flow will be impacted during the afternoon peak hour period in particular. Given the specialised and complicated nature of the work, it is anticipated that the R5m project will be completed only by the end of November, if all goes as planned.
Read: Refurbishment of Goodwood Portion of Voortrekker Road Begins
Philip Kgosana Drive
Philip Kgosana Drive is a dual carriageway between Hospital Bend and Roeland Street in the CBD. The road winds along the higher slopes of Table Mountain with spectacular views of the mountain, Lion’s Head, the city bowl, and Atlantic. Scenic as it is, the location of the road makes it prone to erosion and rock falls, particularly during the rainy season.
The project forms part of the City’s routine maintenance programme that aims to prolong the longevity of Cape Town’s road network and to improve general road safety.
The methodology used to stabilise the slopes on the median between the outbound and inbound lanes is highly specialised. Steel mesh layers will be installed to keep the rocks and soil in place, and this will require drilling and the installation of rock anchors. Given the complicated nature of the work, it is anticipated that it will take about six months to stabilise the slopes, pending any unforeseen delays.
