Western Cape: Section of the R43 in the Overberg fully closed until September 2024!

The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) has announced that a three kilometres section of the R43 from the Kleinmond interchange on the N2 (Exit 90 to Kleinmond and Hermanus) will be closed for at least six month (September 2024). This is due to  road safety improvement which involves a full upgrade and reconstruction of layerworks, as well as widening the road to 3.7m wide lanes, with 2.4m wide shoulders in both directions. All traffic will be rerouted via the Botrivier interchange on the N2 (Exit 92) that is approximately two kilometres from the road closure.

Eastern Cape: N2 between Grahamstown <> Peddie temporarily closed!

Due to the widening of the Great Fish River Bridge in the Eastern Cape, travellers are advised not to use the N2 between Grahamstown and Peddie, but the alternative route of the R72 via Port Alfred. The N2 will be closed for long periods from today (24 January 2017) until 27 January 2017.  The road will be open to two-way traffic between sunset and sunrise daily.

• 24 January 2017 - The N2 will be closed from 08:00 - 09:00, 10:00 - 11:00, 12:00 - 13:00 and 14:00 - 15:00 (expected delay: 1hrs per occurence)
• 25 January 2017 - The N2 will be closed from 08:00 - 09:00 (expected delay: 1hrs) , 11:00 - 13:00, 14:00 - 16:00 (expected delay: 2hrs per occurence)
• 26 Janaury 2017 - The N2 will be closed from 08:00 - 10:00, 11:00 - 13:00, 14:00 - 16:00 (expected delay: 2hrs per occurence)
• 27 January 2017 - The N2 will be closed from 08:00 - 10:00 (expected delay: 2hrs)

Garden Route National Park: N2 leading to the Ebb & Flow Rest Camp temporarily closed!

South African National Parks (SANParks) just announced that the entrance road from the N2 leading to the Ebb & Flow Rest Camp in the Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park will be temporarily closed for 12 - 16 weeks because of construction work. The main rest camp, the reception area and the Loerie Nest venue will remain fully operational during the period. Visitors to the Garden Route National Park are encouraged to use two alternative routes:

• Entry from the N2 via Hoekwil. This route leads to a dirt road of approx. 1.4km
• Entry through the town of Wilderness is about 3.5km

Map of the alternative routes (screenshot via sanparks.com)
click here to download (pdf)

According to SANParks, noise levels are expected to remain normal and visitors will still be able to enjoy the tranquillity of the Park. The parking space as well as the operating hours for the booking office and reception of the Garden Route National Park will also not be affected by any of the construction work.

South Africa: Roadworks on the N2 between Kokstad & Harding (KwaZulu Natal)

If you are planning to travel along the N2 between Kokstad and Harding on your way to eg Port Shepstone, Margate or the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve, keep in mind that roadworks are underway between the two town. The construction of the Stafford’s Post Interchange (kilometer mark 44.30 on the N2 section 21) commenced on 19 April 2013 and will last until December 2014. The speed limit through the construction zones is reduced to 60km/h and traffic is accommodated on the existing carriageway and temporary bypasses or deviations with STOP/GO traffic accommodation towards the latter part of the construction. Safe travels!


View Larger Map

online car hire on TravelComments.com >>

The N2 is South Africa's deadliest road!

Mind the N2, travellers! No other road in South Africa is claiming more lifes than the N2 between East London and Mthatha in the country's Eastern Cape. According to the Road and Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), an average of 90 people are getting killed in car crashes every year on that stretch of the N2. Further up the N2, between Mthatha and Kokstad, an average of 77 people are losing their lifes every year due to car accidents. Please don't skip the Transkei & the Wildcoast because of the statistics, just be super careful when driving along the N2!

View Larger Map

online car hire on TravelComments.com >>

Cape Town renames the Eastern Boulevard after Nelson Mandela

The City of Cape Town has renamed Eastern Boulevard in the city centre after Nelson Mandela ahead of the former President's 93rd birthday on Monday.
Mayor Patricia de Lille said they were renaming Eastern Boulevard after Nelson Mandela because he (Mandela) had shown the way towards a society full of opportunities and built on mutual respect.


View Larger Map

On the eastern edge of Cape Town's city centre the N1 and the N2 split, and the N2 turns south as Eastern Boulevard (Nelson Mandela Boulevard), crossing above the yards and approach tracks of Cape Town railway station.