The Huguenot Tunnel in the Western Cape is undergoing a massive R4.5-billion upgrade to increase capacity and ensure the integrity of the important structure for the future.
The Huguenot Tunnel is South Africa’s longest road tunnel at a length of 3.9km. It was opened in March 1988 as an alternative to the pass running over the Du Toitskloof mountains, cutting the travel distance between the towns of Worcester and Paarl by 11km.
Currently, 13,000 vehicles make use of the tunnel on a daily basis, almost doubling to 25,000 per day over peak periods.
Since it was opened over 36 years ago, the Huguenot Tunnel has facilitated the safe passage of more than 125 million vehicles into and out of the Western Cape province.
Economic boon
The Huguenot Tunnel upgrade project is expected to continue for roughly five years and encompasses the construction of a North Bound Tunnel and the modernisation of the South Bound Tunnel.
As per the Western Cape municipality, the new North Bound Tunnel will be completed in three years. After completion, road users will be able to use it while the South Bound Tunnel will be closed for a year.
Upgrades to the South Bound Tunnel are already underway and, once completed, the two tunnels will offer two lanes each.
While the project was delayed for several years, the Board of the National Roads Agency was recently instructed to put it out on tender so as to accelerate the completion of the important initiative.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy on an oversight visit to the Huguenot Tunnel
During a recent site visit, Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy stated that the project provides opportunities to emerging construction businesses owned by women and youth, creating approximately 500 jobs in the construction industry.
She added that the Huguenot Tunnel toll concession will raise roughly R50 million in revenue per year, helping to boost the Western Cape economy.
“The project is financially viable and, once completed, it will not be necessary to raise the baseline toll,” said the minister.
The upgrades will furthermore assist in alleviating traffic congestion on the busy freeway and be especially important to the bustling agricultural sector in the region as it will allow for the faster transportation of goods.
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