Rockfalls necessitate more closures
Motorists using the N11 can expect multiple four-hour road closures in the Kranspoort Pass this week, due to rockfalls caused by the continuous blasting operations.
According to the head engineer, Mr Rian Ilse, unexpected rockfalls now necessitates regular road closures for the public’s safety.
He says one of the road workers had to be admitted to hospital due to head injuries sustained in a rockfall, and that ongoing rockfalls now poses a massive risk to motorists.
The worker was luckily not seriously injured and have returned to work.
Meanwhile, the death of the blaster, Mr Stefan Steyn, in whose name the permit was issued, prompted HHO to appoint a new blaster.
Mr Steyn was killed in a collision shortly after midnight last Saturday. He was alone in his Fortuner when he lost control over the vehicle, causing it to roll.
Because of the new appointment of a blaster, a new permit also had to be issued, and due to the delays caused by the permit problems, no blasting occurred in the pass last week.
Mr Ilse said that blasting would resume this week.
Because of dangerous rockfalls, the pass will be closed from 11:00 till 15:00 on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week.
Aside from the four hour closures, three active stop-and-go points, where hour long delays can be expected in peak hours, should also be compensated for by motorists.
“We regret the multiple closures, but it is solely for the safety benefit of motorists,” Mr Ilse insists.
He said that blasting operations would hopefully conclude in January 2016. Despite the hiccups, Mr Ilse however also insists, that the road construction is on schedule.
The project is set to be finalized entirely in January 2017.
Read previous articles here:
Dramatic changes – new look for Kranspoort already
More delays at Kranspoort Pass
