R74 roadworks etc.

I wonder if this is for the entire stretch from Harrismith to Bergville? Driving there next week and want to take the scenic route!?

I'm going there this weekend, will take this road back and will report on MOnday. I really hope it is tarred all the way

Going on to berg next week and just travelled it in last week... and no question that Ill be traveling over past Sterkfontein. The road is 100% fixed BUT only up to the point just after you go past the dam where you drive close by the water's edge. Shortly after that they divert you left on to gravel road where you make a loop to reconnect again further on and exit again at the Retiefklip road back on to tar. I forgot to measure the distance of gravel but the Gravel is fine and I travelled with Corrola (not a rental ) Only two minor things
1) Im finicky with my car and drive carefully on gravel - just check the loose stones as you continue on the gravel road as you approach from Gauteng side and watch for some slightly bad patches. Don't just put foot if you don't have a 4x4 - or Indeed if you are Tony Marshal)

2) The gravel connecting with the tar on Retiefklip side has a huge drop The one side of the gravel/tar connection ( left from Gauteng's side) does have less of a drop and would be the safer option but this will be clear for you to see.

Thus. I have no doubt that the R74 is good to go and shortly the whole road should be done.

Drove the route back to Gauteng yesterday (Sunday afternoon) and can confirm that the whole road has been tarred and is open

That is indeed very good News. 8 Dec it still had Cement barricades preventing access. Looking forward then to travel on it This week

Hi.
Does anyone know the condition of the Oliviershoek pass?
Been looking way sketchy with chunks vanishing.
We'll be heading there weekend of the 6th/7th Aug, to Giants.

Thanks.
c.

Road open and passable. One section about 300m south of Little Switzerland subsided but a temporary bypass wa in place a month ago.Lower down two sections has one lane open ony but both are safely marked with the lower one manned.

Update on Oliviershoek Pass, 10 August 2022.

We did this route yesterday, pubic holiday. The pass is closed to trucks, vehicles over 3500kg.

Heading north:

1. That part that's fallen away around the bendy bits lower down has grown and now has barricades around it. A Stop 'n Go system is in place with flag wavers. Flowed smoothly for us.
2. Higher up, about 300m below Little Switzerland, the road is severely depressed for about 20m, both lanes. Looks like a flopped flan. Someone's dug a bit out the mountain so everyone crawls over this gravelly slopey bit one car at a time. This section looks like it will take major roadworks.
3. Once past Lil' Swiz parts of the pink mountain has come tumbling down with large boulders lying our your left.
4. Then once you're over and past that Observatory looking installation (on the right) and heading towards the dam, after about a 1km or so, a huge section about 10m long on the left lane has vanished too. Barricades here too.

It's just a matter of time before a car goes down the hill in my view. Traffic keeps coming. Does not look good. But in typical Saffa fashion "Naaahh it's ok".
We drove a small hatchback. Please be cautious.