According to the head engineer, Mr Rian Ilse, unexpected rockfalls now necessitates regular road closures for the public\u2019s safety.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The worker was luckily not seriously injured and have returned to work.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the death of the blaster, Mr Stefan Steyn, in whose name the permit was issued, prompted HHO to appoint a new blaster.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Mr Ilse said that blasting would resume this week.<\/p>\n
Because of dangerous rockfalls, the pass will be closed from 11:00 till 15:00 on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday this week.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe regret the multiple closures, but it is solely for the safety benefit of motorists,\u201d Mr Ilse insists.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The project is set to be finalized entirely in January 2017.<\/p>\n
Read previous articles here:<\/p>\n
Dramatic changes \u2013 new look for Kranspoort already<\/a><\/p>\n