Kloof Road is set to reopen in mid-December after it was damaged by floods about three years ago. The Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, says the rehabilitation of Kloof Road is progressing well in a very ecologically sensitive environment.

“Working in winter – the contractor is monitoring the weather forecasts and plan high-risk activities such as earthworks, crane operations and concrete pours around expected high rainfall events and strong winds. Temporary drainage, sandbags, and berms are used to protect the work area.”

Kloof Road to reopen in mid-December

He says the section between Kloof Nek Road and Round House Road was damaged during a Level-9 storm in September 2023. Since then, it has been closed to the public. Quintas says repairs to the road started in February this year. He says if all goes to plan, the road will be open to traffic again by mid-December.

Repairs to Kloof Road on track to meet mid-December opening

The City’s Urban Mobility Directorate says Kloof Road links the City Bowl with the Atlantic Seaboard suburbs of Camps Bay, Clifton, Bantry Bay and Sea Point. Quintas add that the road falls within the Table Mountain National Park and the two failed embankments are located approximately 150 to 200 meters west of the corner of Kloof Road and Camps Bay Drive.

“I visited the site together with local ward councillor Nicola Jowell. I am pleased to say that the work is progressing at a pace that will see us meeting the provisional completion date despite the steep terrain and access challenges,” he said.

Kloof Road is in an environmentally sensitive area

“Great care is taken as we are working in an environmentally sensitive area. We undertook a search and rescue exercise to locate and exhume indigenous plant species and took a variety of clippings. These are being looked after at a nursery and will be transplanted at the site after the slopes have been reconstructed,” the councillor added.

“Kloof Road should be open to traffic again by mid-December 2026, pending any delays or unforeseen challenges. All efforts will be made to keep to the timeline; however, progress may be impacted by inclement weather given the difficult terrain where the work is taking place.”

He elaborated, “We are also upgrading the stormwater culverts. The relocation of the water pipe in the work area is nearly done by our colleagues from the Water and Sanitation Directorate and is now being tested before it is reconnected to the existing water main. We are grateful for the good weather the past few days, which also helps to get the work done.”

Project details

Quintas further noted that the section between Kloof Nek Road and Round House Road has been closed to traffic since the long weekend of 24 September 2023. This was in the interest of public safety after the embankment supporting Kloof Road was destabilised. This made it unsafe to carry a load. He says further damage occurred in 2024 when heavy rainfall caused an additional slip failure during the winter season.

Work to date:
o The contractor has cleared the site to facilitate the planned construction works.
o Plants were rescued and clippings taken with the intention of replanting them once the project has been completed.
o Excavation and preparation for the construction of the gabion wall and drilling at the bottom of both slope failures have been concluded.
o The drilling of the soil nails at the large slope failure is done.
o The first row of gabions at the large slope failure has been completed, and work is now progressing on the 2nd row.
o The drilling of the soil nails at the second, smaller slope failure is near completion.
o The bulk of the new stormwater pipes has been installed.
o Work on the rehabilitation of the cobble channels is partially completed.

Project details:
o The project duration is 11 months, pending unforeseen delays or challenges.
o The City will only repair what has been damaged, and cannot add improvements such as walking and cycling lanes.
o Various services are located along Kloof Road, such as fibre optic, water mains, and so forth. These are being relocated or protected for the duration of the repair works.
o Due to the site access, steep terrain and the magnitude of the slip failure, the remedial work will take more time than a typical road construction site.

“‘The road remains closed to the public while we are busy with the rehabilitation work. This includes cyclists and pedestrians. I thank residents and visitors for their ongoing patience and support,” said Quintas.