The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd
(SANRAL) met with stakeholders earlier this year to present the operational
requirements and time schedule of the Huguenot Tunnel upgrades and how this
would impact the road user.
After 31 years of continuous and safe operation,
the electrical and mechanical systems have neared end of life, and need
replacement to ensure compliance to international safety standards.
The work has already begun, but in the interest of
minimal inconvenience to the road user, work that can be completed under live
traffic conditions, has been prioritised.
The following work has been completed:
- 11Kv line replacement between the
tunnel and Main Control Centre (MCC) - Installation of back-up generator at
MCC - North-bore watermain replacement
- Replacement of MCC fire detection and
suppression system
“This bodes well for our overall progress and we are committed to doing
as much of the work as possible, under live traffic conditions. In this way,
the impact to the road user is little to none,” said Randall Cable, SANRAL
Western Region Manager.
The team is currently busy with the following processes, some of which
are nearly complete:
- South-bore watermain replacement
- MCC watermain replacement
- MCC building redecoration and upgrade
of ablution facilities - Replacement of VMS signs on the
approaches and in the tunnel - Replacement of all electronic signage
in the tunnel - Installation of Tetra Emergency radio
system in the tunnel
The old Du Toit’s Kloof Pass, the R101, which will act as the primary
alternate route during the week day, night time Huguenot Tunnel closures, will
also receive a facelift with the installation of additional road signs to
better indicate passing opportunities as well LED road studs along the entire
centre line of the pass. This work will commence shortly and will be completed
before the end of the year to aid night time travellers using the pass.
While it may appear
to the average traveller that nothing has changed, much of the current work is
done behind the scenes. As soon as current operations are complete, the next
stage will include the following, some of which will have to occur during the
planned closure:
- Replacement of tunnel FM radio
re-broadcast system - Upgrade of tunnel PA system
- 6.6/ 11 kV Switchgear upgrade/
replacement - Replacement of tunnel fire detection
system – while this will be started under live traffic conditions, some of it
will only be completed during the scheduled closure.
Off-peak maintenance closures were scheduled to commence in late
September 2019, but are now scheduled to commence in middle January 2020.
The off-peak closures are to allow for the completion of the remaining works,
which will not be possible under live traffic conditions, and will last approximately
four months. The times of closure remain as previously communicated,
i.e. the tunnel will be closed to traffic, from 10pm to 6am, Monday to
Thursday. This means that the tunnel will be fully open weekdays from 6am till
10pm as well as 24 hours from Friday to Sunday, for all road users.
Motorists are reminded of the alternative routes,
which include Paarl –DuToit’s Kloof Pass –Worcester (±62 km), Paarl
-Gouda -Tulbagh –Worcester (±121 km) or Wellington-Tulbagh-Ceres (± 74 km.)
Depending on origin and destination, the N2 Grabouw to Villiersdorp (41 km) is
also an option.
“Where unforeseen changes to the schedule are necessitated, we will
communicate these as soon as possible, to ensure that road users are fully
informed of the work being carried out and the effects this may have on traffic
flow,” concluded Cable.
