WILDERNESS NEWS - Street lights along the N2 through Wilderness have been out of order for months and the problem has been reported to various officials of the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral), complains the ward councillor for Wilderness, Marlene Brandt.

Brandt reacted to Sanral's undertaking in a recent media statement on George Herald's Facebook page to assist with road safety, saying that these lights should be repaired, especially in light of the holiday season that has started.

The whole stretch from George Street (where one turns in to Leentjiesklip) near the second camera, past Salina's and almost up to Waves Garage does not have any street lighting and there are security concerns as this is also a pedestrian area.

"People who walk from Wilderness Village to guest houses in the evenings and motorists are complaining about it," says Brandt.

According to Randall Cable, Sanral Western Region manager, the lighting will not be repaired now, but as part of the upgrading of the N2 which starts in 2024.

"Sanral plans to upgrade the N2 section 7 between Kraaibosch and Die Vleie to a dual carriageway, in other words, two lanes per direction with a raised kerbed median. This also includes the upgrading of all primary intersections to roundabouts, or left-in and left-out configurations, with turning lanes to improve safety and traffic flow. 

"These upgrades will furthermore see the replacement of all street lighting and roadside furniture such as guardrails and signage. The upgrade will be done in two phases, with phase one being from Kraaibosch to the Touw River, and phase two from the Touw River to Die Vleie."

'Prioritising street lighting in 1st phase'

Cable said construction in the first phase, valued at approximately R750m, will start in the new year, with a construction period of approximately 27 months.

"These construction activities will prioritise the repair of lighting to ensure motorists travel safely through this portion of the N2 at night, especially while under construction. It is acknowledged that there will be some frustration with through traffic, as road construction activities escalate during the construction period. 

"However, the benefit of the much-improved geometrics, which will bring improved safety and traffic flow for road users of the N2 and residents of Wilderness and surrounds, by far outweigh the temporary inconvenience. Announcements regarding phase two will follow soon."

The N2 between Kraaibosch and Die Vleie is to be upgraded from next year.Photo: Alida de Beer 

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