Staff Writer
CHAPMAN’S Peak Drive is expected to be closed for at least two days after a six-ton wedge of weathered siltstone dislodged from a cliff edge and partially imbedded on the ledge below the scarp.
Motorists have been advised to use Old Kaapse Weg as an alternative route. The drive would be reopened when it was safe for road users.
The wedge was precariously balanced on the ledge and high rainfall or strong wind could cause it to tumble down, according to the provincial transport department.
Transport and Public Works spokesperson Byron la Hoe said the wedge could have landed between the first and middle field of catch fence three if it fell, and it could damage the intermediate post in the process.
“It is too risky to operate the pass at the moment. The department has recommended that while the pass is closed, the remaining part of the unstable wedge that is still attached to the cliff edge be brought down by careful and judicious scaling. Experienced rope access technicians will be used,” he said.
The cliff would need to be inspected and all other loose blocks barred down.
“The fallen six-ton rock wedge on the ledge would also need to be broken up and the bigger pieces produced in the process allowed to fall down in a controlled manner. Cleaning out and possible repair work to catch fence three might be required hereafter. Once this is complete, the pass may be opened for traffic,” he said.
An inspection by Entilini, the concessionaire that is managing the drive on behalf of the department, showed that the wedge was poised to fall down in spite of it still being attached to the cliff edge.
“Investigations showed it is being held by the figurative thread. Inspections showed that there is no guarantee that the catch fences will be able to contain such a fall and that the debris might breach the fence, especially if any of the support ropes are severed,” La Hoe explained.