Chapman’s Peak Drive #6: History pt 4 (2000-now)
This is the 6th in a series of 8 caches (incorporating 2 existing and 6 new ones) along this 9 km long, world-famous, spectacular and award-winning cliff-edge mountain pass.
The cache, a small camo-taped tablet pot, is hidden some 60m down a small trail starting @ S 34 4.065 E 18 22.171 heading down the gentle slope from the shady, parking and picnic area - with great views of Hout Bay. See GC9KPCD CPD #3 for toll tips.
Early in 2000 it was evident that financial limitations would be the biggest stumbling block to the safe re-opening of the road. To solve this, it was decided to go for a public-private partnership (PPP) and make the route a Toll Road. A feasibility study concluded that the majority of the reopening and operation costs could be obtained through tolls and that a PPP would be value for money with risks transferred to the private sector.
A management company was awarded the contract – with a 30-year concession - after a controversial tender process and 8 years of public protest.
Due to its sensitive location within the Table Mountain National Park, an integrated environmental approach to the rehabilitation and upgrading of the road was required.
See here for a well-illustrated paper on the PPP and the extensive and innovative technical work done on the road.
2003 – Present: after intensive design and reconstruction CPD was re-opened to traffic as a toll road on 20 December 2003. This was seen as a welcome return for the drive as an ‘international tourist destination’ complementing other tourist destinations in the Western Cape. Local businesses also welcomed the re-opening.
The new rockfall measures were however put to the test, and during July and August of 2004, three rainfall incidents occurred of extremely high intensity. A total of 396mm was recorded in the 2 months, compared to the mean annual precipitation for the area of 740mm! Shortly thereafter several debris slides and rockfall incidents occurred, resulting in damage to the catch fences, and the road was closed for 55 days to clear the debris and replace the 4 catch fences.
The much-loved road was once again declared unsafe for road users in June 2008 and the drive was closed for major upgrades and repairs. The work took over a year and the road was eventually re-opened on the 9th October 2009. It has been open ever since except for temporary closures for routine maintenance and during dangerous weather conditions.
Despite its spectacular views and extraordinary beauty, the drive is not without danger, as rockfalls and mudslides have always been a hazard for motorists - particularly during storms in winter.
