Hope on the horizon for iconic passes

Gallery Update

With both the Montagu Pass and Seven Passes Road still shut, and no clear reopening dates confirmed, frustration among Garden Route residents is reaching a boiling point.

The prolonged closures have left communities cut off from vital alternative routes between George and Wilderness, especially with roadworks also affecting the Kaaimans Pass.

The Seven Passes Road, the only alternative route between George and Wilderness, has been closed since repeated flood damage in November 2021.

Montagu Pass, which serves not only as a scenic tourism route, but also as an alternative route between Herold and George, has been shut since February 2023 for restoration work, also due to flood damage.

Seven Passes Road

According to the Director of Operational Support at the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure, Jandré Bakker, design work on the Seven Passes has been completed and a contractor appointed for a contract value of R61m.

A commencement meeting has already been held, with physical work on-site set to begin in October.

While the road is expected to reopen to some degree in late 2026, Bakker cautioned that this would not mean full completion.

“When we speak of reopening, it should be noted that this may be with traffic accommodation in place, including long waiting periods. Our aim remains to have this phase reached to provide at least some kind of access,” he said.

The Seven Passes Road remains closed for all traffic including motorcycles, cyclists, pedestrians and even horseback riders. Photo: Jeff Ayliffe

Safety concerns

Bakker expressed serious concern about the public ignoring closure signs, especially on the Seven Passes Road. “Both Montagu and Seven Passes are closed to all road users - vehicles, motorcycles, cyclists, pedestrians and even horseback riders. We have had multiple cases of people accessing Montagu Pass, including a business advertising trips through the closed section.”

He says there is an issue that many members of the public do not understand.

“In the case of the Seven Passes Road, much of the damage is not visible to the naked eye, as it is below the road surface. Use of the road could lead to a catastrophic failure, which could see the road being closed indefinitely,” Bakker warned.

“The department is doing everything in its power to have both these roads restored to their former state. Unfortunately, there are processes involved (environmental, heritage, etc) and budgetary constraints that need to be followed diligently. We ask that the public please respect these processes so that we can ensure our infrastructure gets reinstated and can be used by the public, safely, once again.”

Montagu Pass

Bakker says an estimated R50m to R60m has been earmarked for the Montagu Pass project.

Environmental approval applications have been submitted, but authorisation is only expected by February or March next year.

“We are planning to advertise this limited bid contract by mid-October to appoint a contractor by late 2025 or early 2026,” Bakker confirmed. “Heritage approval is expected towards the end of this year and environmental approval in early 2026. Only once we have these approvals in place can we finalise timelines.”

The department had initially indicated that the pass could reopen by August 2026, but Bakker stressed that timelines remain flexible and will depend on approvals and unforeseen challenges.

Use of the road on the Montagu Pass could lead to a catastrophic failure.