What began as a long-awaited upgrade to one of Cape Town’s busiest roads has now left residents and road users seething. Months of delays, disrupted routines, gridlocked traffic, and increased criminal activity have turned the rehabilitation of Jakes Gerwel Drive — a major arterial route — into a mounting source of anger for those living and commuting through Goodwood and surrounding suburbs.

The roadworks, which stretch between Viking Way and Voortrekker Road, were initially met with optimism. According to residents, construction began in December 2024, but by February, workers had all but disappeared from the site, these residents say — with no clear answers and little progress to show.

“We were so excited when they started. Finally, the road was going to get sorted,” said Ryno Palm, Chairperson of the Goodwood Ratepayers’ Association. “Then one day, they just stopped. It’s June now, and we’re sitting with half a dug-up road, huge machines just standing there, and still no proper explanation.”

Palm said residents were told the surface needed time to “settle” before tarring could resume — a delay that has since been compounded by rain. “Now it’s raining. So what was the plan here? They should’ve thought ahead. We need answers.”

Locals said the chaos has spilled onto residential streets. Taxis, buses and frustrated motorists are using narrow, often one-way roads as makeshift detours — many of which are not designed to handle heavy-duty vehicles. The absence of traffic marshals has only worsened the situation.

“People are going up one-ways, down pavements — it’s lawless,” said one resident. “And the worst part? The City didn’t offer a single alternative route or traffic officer to help ease the mess.”

Safety concerns have also surfaced. “It’s not just traffic,” Palm added. “We’ve seen a rise in smash-and-grabs and petty crime. Criminals are taking advantage of the chaos. This can’t continue until 2027.”

Rob Quintas, Mayco Member for Urban Mobility, the project is a complex and deeply technical one, requiring “deep rehabilitation” due to the road’s age and heavy traffic volumes.

“This section of road has reached the end of its design life. The asphalt works have commenced, and I look forward to seeing some visible progress in the coming weeks,” said Quintas.

He explained that the process involves removing and replacing the underlying material, strengthening it with cement, and allowing a full seven-day curing period before paving can resume — all while working within only one lane per direction and avoiding peak hours to minimise disruption.

“The variability of the in-situ material structure has further delayed work, requiring ongoing testing. This is not a minor rehab job — it’s a full structural rebuild,” he added.

The City now said the road will only be completed by March 2026, but some residents say they’ve been told 2027.

For the people of Goodwood, the City’s technical explanations ring hollow. They feel left out of the process, and more importantly, left to suffer its consequences.

“You can’t close a major route like this and not offer an alternative or proper traffic management,” said Palm. “It’s not just an inconvenience anymore. It’s dangerous. And the silence from those responsible is insulting.”

While a full-time safety officer has been appointed and night work is set to begin on intersections to ease congestion, many believe it’s too little, too late.

“Don’t blame the rain,” Palm said bluntly. “We’ve had sunny days too — and still no movement. We just want clear timelines and transparency. Right now, we’re being strung along.”

Ward councilor Cecile Janse Van Rensburg she acknowledged that residents are no doubt facing challenges due to the project, and  she believes if residents are accurately informed and provided with regular status updates, they will have peace of mind knowing that the project is on track.

“The residents in the ward I serve are able to contact me directly to engage about their concerns about all municipal service delivery issues – this project included.”

She added that a review of the traffic management plan for the project was undertaken and a full-time traffic safety officer has been appointed to monitor and address safety issues on site at all times. 

“We ensure that communication channels are open at all times and that residents know how to engage with myself and the City via these channels.”

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus 

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