Camps Bay Drive will remain closed to general traffic until late in November 2015, pending the completion of major roadworks that have been ongoing since April this year.

Transport for Cape Town (TCT), the City of Cape Town’s transport authority, is spending approximately R30 million on this project, which will significantly improve the road condition and safety for road users.

“At the time of the Camps Bay Drive closure, about 14 000 vehicles travelled along this scenic route every day. Given that Camps Bay Drive has to carry a high volume of traffic and has not seen any major rehabilitation or reconstruction for more than 30 years, it was essential to undertake the roadworks,” says Councillor Brett Herron, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member: Transport for Cape Town.

“This important artery is now also required to carry significantly more bus traffic as a MyCiTi feeder route between the city, Camps Bay and Hout Bay and the slackening of the sharp corners along Camps Bay Drive is thus part of this project to allow for the safe passage of buses in opposite directions in future,” he explains.

Unexpected challenges

Camps Bay Drive has been closed to general traffic since 20 April 2015 and will, if all goes according to plan, be opened before the end of November 2015.

“We said in April this year that the project would be concluded by the end of September, pending any unforeseen circumstances. Unfortunately we have encountered a number of unexpected challenges that have delayed the project by at least another nine weeks to the end of November 2015. As much as we regret the inconvenience that is caused by the delay, these factors are beyond the City’s control,” says Herron.

TCT has, in the meantime, made provision for residents who live along streets adjacent to Camps Bay Drive to have easier access to and from their houses.

Certain sections of the road have been prioritised to provide residents with alternative access routes, thereby giving them the option to avoid the full detour via Geneva Drive should they choose to do so.