Construction in Montagu Pass to start, but no dates yet

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GEORGE NEWS - The old dame is still waiting to have her dress repaired, and while there is still no confirmed dates for construction to begin or end, there does appear to be light at the end of the tunnel for the historic Montagu Pass.

The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure confirmed that a contractor had been appointed for the remedial works on this historic landmark and is currently in the process of establishing the site office.

It is important to note that the pass stays closed to all users, including motorists, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians and horseback riders, to ensure public safety, particularly during the construction period.

Should any emergencies otherwise have occurred on the mountain, it would be extremely hard for emergency vehicles to access potential patients with the state the road is now in.

Once the site office is set up, the contractor will start with the work that does not need special permits or official approvals. The project has been planned so that some work can go ahead while the remaining permissions are still being processed.

Given that the Montagu Pass is both an environmentally and heritage-sensitive site, a significant portion of the work may only start once the necessary environmental and heritage authorisations are in place.

Huge piles of sand and road closure signs block vehicles from entering the pass. Photo: Kristy KolbergThese approvals involve multiple regulatory processes, and the overall project timeline is therefore dependent on the outcome and timing of these authorisations. At this stage, there is no confirmed date for completion.

"The department's current planning indicates a target to reopen the pass to traffic towards the end of the 2026/27 financial year, subject to the receipt of authorisations, the construction's progress and external factors such as weather conditions.

"This time frame may be adjusted as the project progresses," says the Department's Director of Operational Support, Jandré Bakker.

The department said it is committed to repairing and restoring this historic route in a way that keeps people safe, protects the environment, respects its heritage and ensures it will last well into the future.

WATCH: Jeff Ayliffe visited the Montagu Pass.

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