Today marked an exciting milestone for Overstrand residents as the R43 Gansbaai-Stanford road officially re-opened after extensive upgrades.
Overstrand Deputy Mayor, Elnora Gillion joined Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure, Tertuis Simmers, to celebrate the completion of this route’s improvements – perfectly timed during October’s Transport Month. Also there were Mayoral Committee Member for Municipal Public Safety Andrew Komani, Ward Councillors Dudley Coetzee, Riana de Coning and Stephan Fourie, Overberg District Municipality (ODM) Mayor Sakkie Franken, and ODM Speaker Lindile Ntsabo, who came to show their support for the project.
The Western Cape Department of Infrastructure invested nearly R491 million to upgrade and rehabilitate 20 kilometres of the R43 (also known as Trunk Road 28/2), including surfacing 3.8 kilometres between Stanford and Springfontein Wine Estate and regravelling an additional 500 metres. These upgrades will make travel easier, roads safer, and help people move around the area more easily.
Minister Simmers described the project as an example of the ‘Growth for Jobs’ strategy in action. The work created 369 jobs, exceeding the original target of 350, delivered over 68 000 person-days of work, and spent more than R123 million on local enterprises (well above the initial R91 million goal). The project also supported 20 emerging contractors.
Improvements include:
- 12 new bus stops for safer public transport
- 3 climbing lanes for easier overtaking
- Turning lanes and safer access points
- New stormwater structures, guardrails, and street lighting
- Wildlife culverts designed to protect local ecology and reduce accidents
Minister Simmers ended with a message to the residents of Stanford and Gansbaai: “Let’s protect what we’ve built. Respect the rules of the road. Respect the investment made into your community. This road now belongs to you – the people who use it, work on it, and live beside it.”
