THE Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) has started flood damage repairs to road structures in Seweweekspoort.
This R32 million project is in the vicinity of Zoar in the Kannaland Municipality on Main Road 309 (R323).
The work will be completed by December 2021 if everything goes according to plan.
The existing culvert and causeway structures are in a poor state of repair and subject to periodic flooding. This leaves the road impassable until emergency repairs are done.
During the repairs the existing gravel side drains will be cleared near to the river structures and channelled into the river to prevent future erosion. Twenty-four causeway structures crossing the Seweweekspoort River will be upgraded with associated bank protection work to protect the road batters from erosion during flooding.
The existing road will be improved in three places by adding gabion protection walls and raising the road surface above the river bank to reduce the risk of flooding, and to mitigate the impact of any flooding that may occur.
Road signage consisting of four danger plates and two river crossing signs will be erected at each causeway to improve road safety.
Half-width construction (involving the closure of one lane) will take place in sections with stop/ go controls to manage the flow of traffic. Motorists can expect a 15 minute waiting period.
The project will create short-term employment and skills training opportunities with 12 000 person-days of work that will be created for residents from the Kannaland and Laingsburg areas.