Update: Closure of Clarence Drive (R44) for emergency repairs
Media Release by the Department of Transport and Public Works
*Kindly note that the previously communicated date of project commencement and closure arrangements have been amended for the convenience of road users.
Clarence Drive (the R44) between the Grill Shack (km 53.5) and Steenbras Dam Mountain Pass (km 56.5) will be closed from 08:00 to 18:00 every day except Sundays from 6 to 21 February 2023 for emergency slope stabilisation repairs. During closures, access to the Grill Shack will only be possible from the Rooi Els side. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes where possible. Stop/go closures will be in place on Sundays, and between 18:00 to 08:00 on every other day of the week.
Heavy rains on 11 and 12 December last year caused the slopes above this section of the R44 to become unstable. The slope stabilisation repairs will be done by Civils 2000 (Pty) Ltd and are scheduled to be completed by 19 March 2023.
We know that residents and visitors to the Western Cape enjoy using this scenic road between Gordon’s Bay and Rooi Els. For that reason, we assessed the safety of the road and decided to allow single-lane traffic on Clarence Drive during the festive season. Now that the holidays are over, we are undertaking slope stabilisation repairs in order to restore full two-way traffic along this important road.
Media enquiries
Jandre Bakker
Head of Communication