Huguenot Tunnel remains closed following a bus fire

The Western Cape Mobility Department has confirmed that the Huguenot Tunnel remains closed following a bus fire on Friday evening.

According to the department, the designated engineering and maintenance teams are assessing the extent of the damage to the tunnel and infrastructure. Currently, there is no definitive timeline available as to when the tunnel will be reopened.

Provincial Mobility Minister, Isaac Sileku, says alternative routes have been identified that motorists can use; however, these routes are currently experiencing congestion.

Sileku has therefore urged motorists to use alternative routes, where possible, to help alleviate congestion. This is as school holidays are currently underway and traffic volumes are expected to remain high across all major routes.

Motorists are requested to plan accordingly and allow for additional travelling times.

The department’s Provincial Traffic Law Enforcement teams are reportedly managing traffic flow, assisting with alternate route coordination, and ensuring sufficient road signage has been put up.

The following alternate routes are available:

From Worcester to CT – via Wolseley- Wellington – Paarl – to N1
From CT to Worcester- via Paarl- Wolseley- Worcester
⁠The N2 can be accessed via Worcester and Villiersdorp
Bainskloof Pass is open to light motor vehicles only
R101 Du Toitskloof Pass is open with a stop-and-go

Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMV) to avoid:

R46 (Touwsriver–Ceres–Gouda–CT), 15m length limit on Franschhoek Pass
Theronskloof Pass – no signal & prone to HMV breakdowns

“We understand that the closure of the Huguenot Tunnel is causing significant delays, which is also impacting alternative routes such as the Du Toitskloof Pass. – But we are appealing for patience and urge all motorists to plan their journeys carefully, allowing for extra travel time,” added Sileku

Sileku has also called on motorists to make use of the N2 route between Cape Town and the interior, as other alternate routes are also experiencing congestion.

“Our traffic officers are on duty to assist road users and maintain safety, but we appeal to every driver to be courteous and exercise caution.”

The department noted that pdates will continue to be shared through official channels as new information becomes available.