One of Cape Town’s most popular and scenic roads, Main Road between Muizenberg and Fish Hoek, has been in continual use for over 200 years, but is buckling under the weight of 19 000 vehicles passing over it daily.

Although the last maintenance work (a new layer of asphalt) was done in 1994, the road structure has deteriorated to such an extent that major rehabilitation is required in order to restore it – and make it able to withstand another 20 years of traffic.

The current road was not structurally designed to carry the traffic that it does, meaning that the asphalt surface is breaking up and allowing water through, causing potholes and surface depressions. This causes more cracking, rutting and structural failure of the supporting layers. Over 80% of the road is affected.

What changes will be made?

• Because there isn’t much room to expand or alter the road, the vertical and horizontal alignment will remain as it is now, except for some minor modifications.
• The severe camber will be eliminated.
• The road will have a consistent width.
• Existing road layers will be removed.
• Totally new base layers (pavement structure) will be added.
• A new asphalt surface will be laid.
• All the services such as water mains, gravity sewers and sewer rising mains will be replaced or re-lined, which will limit the need for major maintenance in the next 20 years.

What about road closures?

In terms of the contract, only a maximum of 400m half width can be closed off at any one time, meaning that residents will be able to use at least part of the road, with Stop and Go boards or signals directing traffic.

Budget and timing

The project will take from 15 to 18 working months to complete.

The first phase will cost R55-million.

Alternative routes

• Metrorail (from Simon’s Town to Cape Town, with stops at Glencairn, Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay, St James and Muizenberg) at a cost of RX
• Boyes Drive
• Ou Kaapse Weg (remember that this is through a national park, so drive slowly and carefully, as many wild cats and other creatures cross the road) LINK TO [www.sanparks.org.za/search.cgi/www.htm?np=3&q=kaapse&s=SRPD&su=title]
• Chapman’s Peak (at a cost of R24 one-way)

Maps and plans

Please click here to view the "phases and schedule" map

History

The first map of the road between “Muijsenburg tot aan de Kalk Baay” was commissioned by Governor van de Graaf in 1786. The stone kerbs are visible in photographs dating back to 1900; many of these kerbs are still in place.

According to Michael Walker, author of “Kalk Bay, a place of character”, the start of “macadamising of the roads due to increased motor traffic”  took place between 1908 and 1910 under Mayor Rutter. 

The Kalk Bay Village Management Board was established in 1891 and was replaced by the Kalk Bay – Muizenberg Municipality in 1895.