Cape Town - The Department of Infrastructure in the Western Cape said that it had yet to quantify repairs to storm-damaged roads in Citrusdal.
The department was also evaluating the subsequent impact on agriculture, which recorded between R750 million and R1bn in damages last year.
A section of the MR310, which washed away during torrential rain last year, would be built stronger by resurfacing road shoulders as protection for over topping, and introducing rockfall embankment support to the compacted layer works, the department said.
Last week, the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa also wrote to Agriculture MEC Ivan Meyer, asking for support for the farming communities in Citrusdal.
Infrastructure MEC Tertuis Simmers’s office said Citrusdal had experienced significant challenges to road access following multiple severe weather events, which flooded routes to the town.
Chantal Smith, head of the Department of Infrastructure, said that during 2023, the section of road between kilometre marker 112.84 and 112.93 had been washed away but was successfully rebuilt.
“This section withstood the flooding but the section between km marker 112.74 and km marker 112.84 washed away and must now be rebuilt,” she said.
“The full section that suffered some form of damage is between km marker 12.6 and km marker 13.36.”
Smith said in order to rebuild this section, water levels must drop sufficiently in order for the berms where the river broke its banks to be repaired.
“Water levels have dropped to such an extent that these berms have been put back in place. Works to rebuild this road can now start.
“Depending on the weather and current water levels, works could start as soon as Tuesday, July 30 (today),” said Smith.
The process of repair entailed constructing a drainage layer followed by various layer works.
Smith said half-width traffic would be allowed with stop-and-go traffic controls once the base layers were formed and completed.
“As in 2023, the main priority is to establish access as soon as the layer works are complete,” said Smith.
“The community is reminded that such resurfacing will likely only be towards the warmer months to ensure the quality of the resurfacing. In the interim, the section that we will work on is likely to remain a gravel section until resurfacing is complete.
“The cost of these repairs is not yet known.”
Simmers asked the public to refrain from visiting the construction site.
“Given the challenges our community has faced due to the severe weather, I urge all residents and travellers to exercise patience and caution as we work diligently to restore full access to Citrusdal,” Simmers said.
The area had also seen humanitarian relief during the storm period to provide essential services and supplies.
The Orange Focus Group said heavy rains had also impacted the exporting of oranges.
Cape Argus