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Huguenot Tunnel Reopens Just in Time to Ease the Holiday Drive Home
After weeks of frustration for motorists and logistics operators, the Huguenot Tunnel and its toll plaza are open to traffic once again. The reopening comes just in time for the end of the school holidays, when thousands of families and freight operators hit the roads for their return journeys across the Western Cape.
The announcement from the Western Cape Department of Mobility was met with relief, as this stretch of the N1 remains one of South Africa’s most vital transport arteries, linking Cape Town to the interior.
Safety First: Engineers Give the All-Clear
The decision to reopen followed detailed safety inspections carried out by an independent engineering team alongside the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL). Officials confirmed that the tunnel had passed all operational checks, allowing traffic to resume while ongoing repair work continues behind the scenes.
For now, motorists will encounter temporary restrictions. Lane widths have been reduced in the northbound section between Blocks 418 and 429, where barriers and scaffolding are in place. Speed limits have been lowered to 60 km/h through most of the tunnel and 40 km/h in the work zone to protect both workers and travellers.
Du Toitskloof Pass Still Closed
While traffic through the tunnel is moving again, the Du Toitskloof Pass remains closed in both directions as crews continue with maintenance on that route. This means the tunnel is currently the only available link between Worcester and Paarl, making its reopening critical for easing congestion.
A Welcome Relief for Motorists
Western Cape Minister of Mobility Isaac Sileku thanked the engineering and roads teams for their efforts and acknowledged how disruptive the closure had been.
“We understand the closure caused severe inconvenience, but safety was and remains our highest priority,” he said. “I thank all our teams and SANRAL for their hard work in ensuring that this key transport link is safely reopened.”
The reopening is expected to ease pressure on alternative routes that have carried heavy detour traffic since the tunnel’s closure, including regional roads around Rawsonville and Paarl.
A Key Artery Back in Motion
The Huguenot Tunnel, located between Paarl and Worcester, plays a crucial role in keeping the Western Cape’s economy moving. It shortens travel time through the Du Toitskloof mountains by nearly 11 kilometres, making it one of the province’s most important infrastructure links.
For families heading home from holidays and truckers moving goods between provinces, the reopening could not have come at a better time. With permanent repair work still underway, motorists are urged to obey speed limits and respect safety restrictions until the full restoration is complete.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: SABC News
