R227.2 million N9/N12 upgrade improves road safety while creating local economic opportunities

Media release by Provincial Minister Tertuis Simmers

The Western Cape Government’s Department of Infrastructure is making good progress on its R227.2 million upgrade of the N9/N12 between George and Oudtshoorn, an investment aimed at improving road safety, strengthening regional connectivity and creating meaningful economic opportunities for local communities. Provincial Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers visited the construction site on 15 October 2026 to assess progress and engage with the project team.

The project, which commenced in October 2025, involves upgrading and strengthening approximately 5km of the N9/N12 (TR1/1), together with repairs to, and resealing of, approximately 2km of Waboomskraal Road (OP06878), which intersects with the main route. Construction is expected to be completed in June 2028, if all goes well.

Investing in safer and more reliable roads

The N9/N12 is an important regional transport connection between George and Oudtshoorn, serving motorists, businesses and communities.

The project will improve road capacity, traffic flow and safety through several substantial engineering interventions.

These include:

• Widening the existing traffic lanes from 3.3m to 3.7m.
• Widening the road shoulders from 1.5m to 2m and surfacing them.
• Improving the horizontal and vertical alignment of the road.
• Constructing a mechanically stabilised earth retaining wall approximately 800m long.
• Installing new culverts and widening existing drainage structures.
• Installing concrete edge beams at accesses and minor intersections.
• Replacing road signs, installing new guardrails and upgrading fencing.
• Protecting cut-and-fill slopes and establishing vegetation.

Work on Waboomskraal Road includes drainage maintenance, road patching, edge repairs and the reconstruction of its intersection with the N9/N12. Protected plant species are also being temporarily relocated as part of the construction process. These improvements are intended to provide motorists with a safer, more reliable and more efficient road connection.

Infrastructure investment creating opportunities for local people

Beyond the physical road improvements, the project is contributing to local economic participation through employment, labour opportunities and procurement from targeted enterprises.

Since construction began in October 2025, the project has already achieved the following:

• 102 work opportunities against a project target of 240.
• 9 424 person-days of labour for local people against a target of 34 000.
• R8.5 million in goods and services procured from targeted enterprises against a target of R32.5 million.
• Six contracts concluded with local enterprises against a target of 21.
• Two contracts concluded with emerging contractors against a target of six.

These figures demonstrate how infrastructure investment can support local participation while delivering essential improvements to the provincial road network.

Minister Simmers says infrastructure delivery must benefit our people

Following his site inspection, Minister Simmers emphasised that infrastructure investment must deliver benefits beyond the physical construction of roads.

“Our investment in the N9/N12 is about more than upgrading a road. It is about making journeys safer, improving connectivity between communities and ensuring that infrastructure investment creates opportunities for local people. Since construction began in October 2025, this project has already generated 102 work opportunities and more than 9 400 person-days of labour. We have also seen R8.5 million in goods and services procured from targeted enterprises.

“These figures represent opportunities for workers, local contractors and businesses to participate in building the infrastructure our province needs. Every infrastructure project must ultimately be measured not only by what we build, but also by the difference it makes in people’s lives. We will continue monitoring progress closely to ensure that this investment delivers lasting value for motorists, communities and the regional economy”, said Minister Simmers.

Maintaining momentum and strengthening delivery

Construction activities currently include earthworks, rock excavation, drainage improvements and the development of permanent road infrastructure.

The Department will continue overseeing implementation, with particular attention to construction quality, road safety, local economic participation and delivery against project milestones.

The anticipated completion date remains June 2028.

The Western Cape Government remains committed to investing in infrastructure that connects communities, supports economic activity and creates opportunities for residents across the province.

Media enquiries
Stephen Heyns
Acting Head of Communication
Western Cape Department of Infrastructure
Email: stephen.heyns@westerncape.gov.za
Tel: 021 483 0597