MOSSEL BAY - The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DOI) says steady progress is being made on the R520 million upgrade of Louis Fourie Road in Mossel Bay – the largest provincial road investment in the Garden Route District.
On 17 July, traffic was switched to the newly built seaside lanes, easing congestion at the temporary fuel station intersection. While the ride quality is not yet optimal, the final asphalt surfacing will be laid towards the end of the project to improve smoothness and align the road level to kerb drainage structures.
The new Garret Street ocean-side intersection and the Gericke Road link are now open, improving traffic flow, while vehicles are also being diverted over the newly completed Blinde River bridge – a key milestone in the upgrade.
In the coming months, work will continue on the new entrance to Langeberg Mall, set to open in September, and several landside intersections will be temporarily closed for about two weeks each to speed up construction.
Provincial Infrastructure Minister Tertuis Simmers says the project is creating significant economic opportunities. By the end of June, R57.3 million had been spent on targeted enterprises, 37 778 person-days of work had been created – exceeding the 250-work-opportunity target with 285 achieved so far - and 20 subcontract packages worth over R13.6 million had been awarded. Notably, six of the 13 current small local enterprises on site are women-owned.
Currently 68% complete, the upgrade remains on track for completion by the second quarter of the 2026/27 financial year. Simmers praised the project team’s agility after a potential 10-day delay due to unmapped services was resolved within five days.
The DOI acknowledges the inconvenience to motorists but says the long-term benefits will outweigh the short-term disruption. “This investment in infrastructure will unlock even more economic opportunities,” Simmers said.
On 17 July, traffic was switched to the newly built seaside lanes, easing congestion at the temporary fuel station intersection. While the ride quality is not yet optimal, the final asphalt surfacing will be laid towards the end of the project to improve smoothness and align the road level to kerb drainage structures.
The new Garret Street ocean-side intersection and the Gericke Road link are now open, improving traffic flow, while vehicles are also being diverted over the newly completed Blinde River bridge – a key milestone in the upgrade.
In the coming months, work will continue on the new entrance to Langeberg Mall, set to open in September, and several landside intersections will be temporarily closed for about two weeks each to speed up construction.
Provincial Infrastructure Minister Tertuis Simmers says the project is creating significant economic opportunities. By the end of June, R57.3 million had been spent on targeted enterprises, 37 778 person-days of work had been created – exceeding the 250-work-opportunity target with 285 achieved so far - and 20 subcontract packages worth over R13.6 million had been awarded. Notably, six of the 13 current small local enterprises on site are women-owned.
Currently 68% complete, the upgrade remains on track for completion by the second quarter of the 2026/27 financial year. Simmers praised the project team’s agility after a potential 10-day delay due to unmapped services was resolved within five days.
The DOI acknowledges the inconvenience to motorists but says the long-term benefits will outweigh the short-term disruption. “This investment in infrastructure will unlock even more economic opportunities,” Simmers said.
