Days 1 and 2 of the WCG Bicycle Handover Tour saw the team visit and cycle through two of the soon-to-be-completed road infrastructure projects in the Overberg District Municipality.
On Tuesday, the Tour concluded its first-day route with a stopover at the R326 road, located between Standford and Riviersonderend. The team received an oversight presentation from the Provincial Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, on the construction work underway.
The Department of Infrastructure has invested R136.9 million, in the reseal, rehabilitation, and ancillary work of this 35 km road stretch. The project which commenced in October 2021, has to date created 145 job opportunities for local job seekers. Over R17 million has been reinvested in local enterprises and Small Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMMEs). The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of July 2023.
On day 2, the team continued to enjoy the scenery and proceeded from Caledon to Hermanus, where they cycled through the R320 road, undergoing rehabilitation. Nearly R124 million has been set aside for the successful completion of this project which began in September 2021. The project scheduled to be completed later in November, has seen the appointment of 21 SMMEs and local enterprises. With R38.6 million redistributed towards these businesses. The project has also seen the creation of 125 job opportunities.
Speaking on the overall state of the roads covered by the Tour thus far, Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, said: “Our roads form the backbone of the Western Cape’s economy, connecting communities and economic opportunities. Improving and maintaining our province’s highways and byways must remain a continuous endeavour, as it is priority to grow the economy.
Throughout the Western Cape Government Bicycle Handover Tour, I had the pleasure of cycling on some roads in the Overberg and Overstrand regions, along with my Cabinet colleagues. We saw for ourselves the high quality of these roads. By maintaining this high standard, we are helping to keep road users safe and our economy moving.”
Following the two oversight visits Minister Simmers spoke on this investment: “Sustainable road construction and maintenance practices can help reduce the impact on the environment, improve the health and safety of road users, and provide long-term cost savings. I am equally pleased to see that both these projects are being implemented well within schedule. Soon the inconvenience of the stoppages on the R320 will be a thing of the past for our road users.”
The investment in road infrastructure ensures an enhanced delivery and maintenance of roads to support the economy in the Western Cape.
“The delivery of these two projects has allowed for the employment of 270 job seekers in the region and over R55 million spent on local enterprise and SMMEs. Truly delivering hope through investment in infrastructure by the Western Cape Government” concluded Minister Simmers.
