Roadworks between Ashton and Montagu

The R60 and R62 from Ashton to Montagu through Cogmanskloof are under construction. This project entails the reconstruction of the R60 from a point west of Ashton (km 15.4 of TR31/2) through Ashton, and the R62 through Cogmanskloof and Montagu to a point east of Montagu (km 1.4 of TR31/3).

Works include: 1) widening the R60 through Ashton; 2) adding 1.5 m shoulders to the R62 through Cogmanskloof; 3) rebuilding almost 1 km of Van Riebeeck street in Montagu; 4) replacing the Ashton, Boy Retief and Voortrekker river bridges; 5) installing erosion and scour protection at Billy loftus Bridge and Van der Merwe Bridge; 6) upgrading storm water systems and street lighting in Montagu and Ashton; 7) relocating and protecting existing services; and 8) installing new services.

The project began in July 2015 with Basil Read as the contractor. The contract was terminated after Basil Read entered business rescue proceedings in June 2018. An interim contractor was appointed to oversee the completion of essential work at the Ashton Bridge and elsewhere whilst the process of appointing a new contractor was underway. in May 2019, Haw & inglis Civil engineering was appointed to complete the project. Work is expected to be complete in March 2021, if everything goes according to plan.

Traffic accommodation

The road through Ashton will be constructed in half-widths, allowing two-way traffic during construction. However, the road construction in Cogmanskloof requires two semi-permanent stop/go controls of up to 2.5 km each until 2020. The average total delay in travelling time through Cogmanskloof is 15 minutes but, in peak traffic periods, the delay could be as long as 40 minutes.