WESTERN CAPE NEWS - The N2 at Botrivier, where a portion of the road washed away (24km West of Caledon) when the Bot River burst its banks during the recent heavy rains in the Western Cape, will remain closed for at least another four weeks.
Elevated water levels continue to impact this section of the road, posing a hazard to motorists.
Repair work is underway, with earthmoving equipment on site.
The first order of business, was for the contractor to re-channel the river along its original waterway, in order to gain access to the portion of the N2 that was washed away. This involved digging trenches and bringing in rockfill materials.
By Saturday 14 October, 3 650 m³ rockfill had been laid with the first two layers complete and the erosion gap closed.
The team has been working until at least 22:00 every night since repairs began about 10 days ago, and worked throughout the past weekend.
“We hope to complete the repairs over the next four or so weeks, and provide thoroughfare access as soon as possible. We remain hopeful that no further rains will hamper progress,” said Randall Cable, the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) western region manager.
“We are very mindful of the important and strategic role of the N2, and the inconvenience that the N2 washaway has caused to road users. We have therefore accelerated our repair activities to reinstate this 70m of national roadway. We thank road users for their patience, and urge them to continue using the alternative routes with utmost care,” he said.
Road users traveling to Cape Town from the Southern Cape/Garden Route area, are advised to consider the R60 route through Swellendam, Ashton, and Worcester.
When travelling from Cape Town to Swellendam on the N2, follow the R43 to Stanford (via Hermanus), then from Stanford on the R326 back to the N2 (approximately10 km west of Riviersonderend). Alternatively, travel from Cape Town to Swellendam via the N1 and the R60 via Worcester.
Repairs underway as at Saturday 14 October.
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