Coastal town in South Africa spent R530 million to upgrade one of its main roads
Mossel Bay, a coastal town along the Garden Route in the Western Cape, recently completed a R530-million upgrade to one of its main roads.
Western Cape Minister of Infrastructure Tertuis Simmers attended the opening of the upgraded Louis Fourie Road (R102) in October 2026.
The project, led by the Western Cape Government Department of Infrastructure, marks one of the largest single government infrastructure investments in the Garden Route District Municipality.
It said that the investment signals an effort to improve a key transport corridor linking Mossel Bay, Diaz Beach, Voorbaai and Hartenbos.
“The project has transformed more than 3km of Louis Fourie Road from a single carriageway into a modern dual carriageway, supported by major intersection improvements, new bridges, upgraded access roads and pedestrian infrastructure,” the department said.
Simmers commented that the project was valued at R530 million and had directly contributed R133 million to local contractors and suppliers between July 2022 and October 2026.
“We are not simply opening an upgraded road. We are delivering an infrastructure investment that will serve the people of Mossel Bay for years to come,” he said.
“This R530 million project represents improved connectivity, better road infrastructure and real economic opportunities for local workers and businesses.”
TopAuto reported that the project paid R15.2 million to local Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Grade 1CE and 2CE contractors.
It also paid R20 million to emerging CIDB Grade 3CE to 5CE contractors, R98 million to local suppliers, and R29.6 million in local labour wages.
The project generated 325 work opportunities, and over 60,000 person-days of paid work.
“Infrastructure investment must create value beyond the physical structures we build. On this project, 325 work opportunities were created, more than 60,000 person-days of work were generated, and approximately R133 million flowed to targeted enterprises,” the minister said.
“Behind these figures are workers who earned an income, emerging contractors who gained valuable experience and suppliers who participated in delivering this major investment.”
Originally part of the N2, Louis Fourie Road remains an important thoroughfare for residents in the coastal town.
The project has made several important changes to the road, with upgrades to the main intersection, and a new bridge over the Blinde River.
Other changes include:
- Realigning and upgrading the Langeberg Mall access road.
- Building a new road linking Garret Street and Gericke Street.
- Upgrading the Transnet Freight Rail crossing at Langeberg Mall.
- Constructing a new bi-directional rail-over-road bridge on Garret Street.
- Rebuilding the N2 on- and offramps and constructing a new traffic circle.
- Constructing a new pedestrian walkway between Waboom Road and Sonskynvallei.
- Resurfacing approximately 6km of existing road sections adjoining the upgraded dual carriageway.
- Upgrading more than 3km of road from a single to a dual carriageway, including a central median.
Furthermore, the project needed to relocate municipal water and sewage infrastructure, an electricity substation, and infrastructure relating to PetroSA.
“Mossel Bay and the broader Garden Route continue to require infrastructure that can support their development and economic potential. Our responsibility is to plan, invest and deliver infrastructure that responds to those needs,” Simmers said.
“This project demonstrates what can be achieved through sustained investment, engineering expertise and collaboration.”
Louis Fourie Road, Mossel Bay
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