Roadworks near Avontuur wine estate, Stellenbosch | Western Cape Government

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Roadworks near Avontuur wine estate, Stellenbosch

5 February 2016

Roadworks will take place between February and May 2016 on the R44 near Avontuur wine estate in Stellenbosch. This R9.9 million Department of Transport and Public Works project to widen that part of the road and repair pipe culverts started in October 2015.

General traffic management

Approximately 25 000 vehicles use the R44 every day. A 0.5 km detour is being built to allow two lanes of traffic to flow in each direction. While the detour is under construction, there will be a short period where one lane of one of the dual carriageways will be closed. No full road closures will take place. The contract provides that the contractor must facilitate the flow of traffic with the least inconvenience to the public. Winery Road may be used as an alternative route to avoid the possibility of traffic congestion.

Every effort will be made to ensure that all temporary road signs, traffic cones, flagmen/women and speed controls are effective, and that road users are treated with courtesy at all times. It is recommended that cyclists use an alternative route during the construction period for safety reasons. Members of the public are requested to be patient and exercise caution when using this road.

Environmental impact management

Because the area is environmentally sensitive, the contractor must adhere to the provisions of a comprehensive environmental management plan. The pipe culverts in question take water from a tributary of the Eerste River under the road and facilitate subsurface drainage from the Avontuur wine estate. Both are regarded as important ecological freshwater systems. The environmental management plan requires the contractor to take a number of specific measures to mitigate the risk of adverse environmental impacts.

Empowerment

The Department is committed to providing Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) work opportunities and to developing small businesses. A total of 3 600 person-days of work will be created for local labour from the Stellenbosch municipal area. A total of R700 000 of the contract value is expected to be spent on targeted Western Cape contractor businesses.

For road construction updates, follow the Department on Twitter @WCGovTPW under the hashtag #roadworksWC.

Media Enquiries: 
Byron la Hoe
Communication Officer
Department of Transport and Public Works
Tel: 021 483 9813
Cell: 079 281 8570
Email: byron.lahoe@westerncape.gov.za
 

You can follow the Department of Transport and Public Works on Twitter: @WCGovTPW