R74 roadworks etc.

Thanks for the update Carl,

The conditions you described seems to have stayed the same as we've first experienced it in March 2022. The section past the observatory is new to me.
Clearly ZERO effort is being taken to repair the roads. 

We have taken the decision in June to avoid this road until it is fixed, and for our last hike a month ago at Giants Castle we took the N3 going down Van Rheenens pass. Not fun with all the trucks, but safer than Oliviershoek pass.

Real pity as I always liked driving past Sterkfontein dam - so much prettier than the N3.

Yeah, Van Reenen's is grim, and the N3 is now basically "left lane = truck train / right lane = irritated speed lane".

For us going down the rd past Sterkfontein always signalled the real beginning of our holiday, the shimmering waters, the winds and then the Berg opening up as you go through the top. Sad to see it so maligned.

Any update on R74?
Specifically the section from before the observatory (north) to bottom of Oliviershoek Pass?

Thanks.

I did it in October, they were busy extending the road to avoid the undercut/washed away bit midway down. the subsided section before little Switzerland was still  the same.
hopefully the heavy rains in the last few days have not exacerbated things ...

A quick update on the Sterkfontein dam route.

My son drove this route yesterday and they are busy fixing the dodgy sections. Dirt road so far, but entirely driveable in a normal sedan - trucks are riding it as well. He sent me a video where a smart car was travelling ahead of their vehicle and it went through the two sections without any hassle.

Can concur. Did Oliviershoek 02/01/23 in hatchback. I'll attach image of the section North of the observatory that has collapsed as well... (zoom in in the left)

Also,the R74 between Winterton and Berville seems to have had many potholes repaired. Looks better than 6 months ago.

 
 

Morning All, Im heading off to the berg soon, does anyone have a recent update on the R74, especially after these recent rains?

Drove it yesterday - its passable with two sections one a stop go where they are putting in what looks like drainage, and the other a short dirt section just before Little Switzerland and then a section were the road has collapsed just about half of the road - got a barrier up.

Any update on R74?
Specifically the section from before the observatory (north) to bottom of Oliviershoek Pass?

Heading down Saturday
Thanks.

I last drove that way 2 weeks ago - the top washaway (above the pass) is cordoned off, but there's no warning, so be aware of the risk of oncoming traffic - its a head-on collision waiting to happen. The short dirt section near Little Switzerland is fine, just slow down for it if you don't want to destroy your tyres. The bit where the entire road collapsed is a stop-go, although it was unmanned when I went through (both on the way down and the way back), so proceed with caution - but there are aggressive speed bumps on either side, which at least helps. But its generally fine.