Good news for motorists travelling between Cape Town and the Cape Winelands: the Huguenot Tunnel has reopened to all vehicles following several days of restrictions caused by strong winds.
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The N1 route between Paarl and Worcester is moving closer to normal after fierce winds caused a headache for motorists travelling through the Western Cape over the weekend.
The Huguenot Tunnel was closed to traffic on Friday as strong winds swept across the region, while an incident on the R101 via Du Toitskloof Pass also led to that route being closed.
The tunnel was subsequently reopened to light motor vehicles on Saturday, but restrictions remained in place for heavier vehicles and vehicles towing caravans or trailers. Now, those restrictions have been lifted.
Huguenot Tunnel is open to all vehicles
The Western Cape Mobility Department confirmed on Sunday that the Huguenot Tunnel is once again open to all vehicle classes, meaning motorists travelling along the N1 can use the tunnel as normal.
The reopening will come as welcome news to travellers heading between Cape Town, Paarl and Worcester, particularly after closures and diversions caused significant delays over the weekend.
The tunnel is an important link for traffic travelling between the Cape Winelands and the N1 further north, and restrictions can quickly put pressure on surrounding roads.
However, motorists should still keep an eye on conditions before setting off, particularly while the Western Cape continues to experience periods of strong winds.
SANRAL has previously warned that the area around the tunnel can be particularly vulnerable to powerful gusts. The Hugo’s Viaduct, just west of the tunnel entrance, sits in an exposed valley where strong winds can pose a risk to larger vehicles, caravans and trailers.
Du Toitskloof Pass remains closed
While the Huguenot Tunnel is open, the same cannot be said for the nearby Du Toitskloof Pass.
According to the latest update, Du Toitskloof Pass remains closed, while Bainskloof Pass is open to Class 1 vehicles only.
That means motorists should not assume that all routes through the mountain passes have returned to normal simply because the tunnel has reopened.
If you are travelling through the area, check the latest traffic information before leaving and allow extra time where necessary.
ALSO SEE: A traveller’s guide to Cape Town’s windy days
