Repairs at Huguenot Tunnel Could Take Up to Two Weeks, Says SANRAL

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The Huguenot Tunnel on the N1 is expected to remain closed for at least another one to two weeks as repair work continues following a bus fire that caused significant damage to the critical transport route late on Friday night.

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) confirmed on Sunday that while it is difficult to set an exact deadline for the reopening of the tunnel, engineers are working around the clock to restore the infrastructure and make it safe for public use.

“It is difficult to give an exact deadline for completion of repair work and opening of the tunnel, however, we are setting ourselves a target of between one to two weeks to complete the works,” said SANRAL spokesperson Lwando Mahlasela.

The tunnel was closed after a passenger bus caught fire inside the structure at around 23h30 on Friday, filling it with thick smoke and causing damage to critical infrastructure including the concrete roadbed, side linings, ceiling, fire detection systems, lighting, and communication equipment. The bus wreckage has since been removed, but the tunnel remains unsafe for traffic until thorough structural inspections and repairs are completed.

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Here are the available alternative routes:

 – From Worcester to Cape Town – via Wolseley-Wellington-Paarl to N1

 – From Cape Town to Worcester – via Paarl – Wolseley-Worcester

 – The N2 can be accessed via Worcester and Villiersdorp

 – Bainskloof Pass (R301) is open to light motor vehicles only

 – R101 Du Toitkloof Pass is open with at least two stop/ go in place (expect delays)

 – Heavy Motor Vehicles to avoid R46 (Touwsriver-Ceres-Gouda-Cape Town) due to 15m length limit on Franschhoek Pass.

The closure has caused severe congestion and travel disruptions on the N1 between Paarl and Worcester, a key freight and passenger corridor. In response, authorities temporarily reopened Du Toitskloof Pass (R101) under stop-and-go conditions to ease traffic, while warning that Bainskloof Pass remains open only to light motor vehicles.

SANRAL has urged motorists to plan their journeys carefully, use alternative routes, and stay updated on road notices as the repair work continues.