Upgrades to the Huguenot tunnel, between Worcester and Paarl, will be completed in five years and will enhance the movement of people and goods, creating vital economic opportunities in the Western Cape.
Recently, the National Minister of Transport, MS Barbara Crecy, Western Cape Minister of Mobility, Isaac Sileku, Executive Mayor of Drakenstein Municipality and officials from the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) visited the tunnel to assess the progress of this project.
The project, which includes the construction of a North Bound Tunnel and the upgrading of the South Bound Tunnel, will cost R4,5 billion.
The new North Bound Tunnel will be completed in three years. After completion of this tunnel, road users will be able to use it while the South Bound Tunnel will be closed for a year.
Upgrades to the South Bound Tunnel are already under way. Once completed, the two tunnels will offer two lanes each.
While the project was delayed for several years, the Board of SANRAL was recently instructed to put it out on tender.
Currently 13 000 vehicles make use of the tunnel on a daily basis. Over peak periods, this increases to 25 000 vehicles each day.
Minister Creecy stated that the project provides opportunities to emerging construction businesses owned by women and youth. She added that the toll concession raises R50 million revenue per year. “The project is financially viable and, once completed, it will not be necessary to raise the baseline toll.”
Minister Sileku welcomed the upgrades, “This project will not only create 500 jobs in the construction industry, but will also boost the Western Cape’s economy and help alleviate traffic congestion.”
The upgrades are especially important to the agricultural sector as they will facilitate the transport of goods.
