SANRAL targets two-week repair timeline for Huguenot Tunnel following bus blaze

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) looks to complete repair work at the Huguenot Tunnel within the next two weeks following damage sustained when a bus went up in flames inside the tunnel.

“It is difficult to give an exact deadline for completion of repair work and opening of the tunnel, however we are setting ourselves a target of between one to two weeks to complete the works,” SANRAL spokesperson Lwando Mahlasela said on Sunday. 

“We will endeavour to do this sooner depending on the outcome of the structural assessment, and given the pressures on alternative routes.” 

A bus fire was reported inside the tunnel at around 11:30pm on Friday night.

One response tunnel official suffered from minor smoke inhalation. The official was treated on scene and taken to hospital for observation.

The bus wreckage was removed on Saturday.

“Although it is clear that the fire emanated from the bus, it is not clear at this stage what caused the bus fire,” Mahlasela said.

“We are busy assessing the damage to determine the structural integrity of the affected section of the tunnel. The structural integrity relates specifically to the concrete lining on the sides and the ceiling of the tunnel. Once this assessment is completed, we will have a better understanding of the repair and/or replacement of these elements.”  

Other equipment including lighting, communications, fire detection and ventilation, etc, also had extensive damage over an approximately 50m section of the 3.9 km tunnel.  

“The tunnel operations system is working well as demonstrated in the detection and response to this incident.

“Key challenges remain higher traffic volumes, and roadworthy condition of vehicles using the tunnel.

The following alternative routes are available:

 - From Worcester to Cape Town - via Wolseley-Wellington-Paarl to N1

 - From Cape Town to Worcester – via Paarl – Wolseley-Worcester

 - The N2 can be accessed via Worcester and Villiersdorp

 - Bainskloof Pass is open to light motor vehicles only

 - R101 Du Toitkloof Pass is open with at least two stop/ go in place (expect delays)

 - Heavy Motor Vehicles to avoid R46 (Touwsriver-Ceres-Gouda-Cape Town) due to 15m length limit on Franschhoek Pass.

Cape Times