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The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure (DoI) is making progress on a vital R80 million repair project for Montagu Pass, one of South Africa’s most historic and scenic mountain passes.
A key link between the Garden Route town of George and the hamlet of Herold in the Western Cape, Montagu Pass has suffered significant damage from floods, leading to its prolonged closure.
According to Tertuis Simmers, Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, a detailed hydrological assessment revealed that five of the pass’s 22 stormwater catchment areas lack sufficient capacity. This deficiency was identified as a primary cause of the severe flood damage, including a full-width break triggered by one structure.
The closure has allowed the DoI team to conduct a thorough analysis ahead of repairs.
In October 2024, the Western Cape Government secured funding through the National Disaster Management Grant, making it possible for a broader Flood Damage Repairs and Response Strategy across the Garden Route, Overberg, and Cape Winelands districts.
For Montagu Pass, this funding paved the way for the appointment of engineering firm Zutari in November 2024 with on-site assessments beginning immediately. The project was approved in February 2025 and the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA) environmental application is currently underway. As per the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure, surveys received in early March 2025 are now being processed to inform the detailed engineering design, with the DoI aiming to submit the NEMA application by the end of March 2025.
The environmental authorisation process could take six to eight months, depending on public participation and appeals. If all goes according to plan, approvals are expected by late September 2025, allowing construction to begin in late October 2025. The DoI estimates this phase will take eight to ten months and cost R80 million, targeting an August 2026 reopening.
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The project includes a number of critical upgrades along Montagu Pass, including cleaning and adding multiple drainage structures to improve flood resilience, re-gravelling and blading the roadway, as well as the repairs and reconstruction of stone walls.
Beyond the capital repairs, the DoI has reviewed and revised its in-house maintenance methods to align with heritage practices, in collaboration with Heritage Western Cape.
Routine maintenance of Montagu Pass will now fall under the supervision of the District Roads Engineer for the Garden Route and Central Karoo.
“This will go a long way to ensure that the Montagu Pass is maintained appropriately to improve the resilience of this important road asset to cope with future floods, pending the conclusion of a capital repairs/reinstatement/limited-improvement project,” said Minister Simmers.
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