WATER USE LICENSE
WATER USE LICENSE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR WATER USES IN TERMS OF THE NATIONAL WATER ACT FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE SECOND HUGUENOT TUNNEL, PAARL, AND CONSTRUCTION OF ADDITIONAL LANES ON THE N1 TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE TUNNEL
REF: WU 39716
NOVEMBER 2024
INTRODUCTION
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) wishes to undertake the Huguenot Tunnel North Bore and the upgrading of the Huguenot Tunnel South Bore on the National Route 1(N1), Section 1 (KM 60.0) to (KM 66.0) Western and Eastern Portals. The existing Huguenot Tunnel is located between Paarl and Worcester, and extends the N1 through the Du Toitskloof Mountain range, in the Western Cape Province. The majority of the proposed works will take place at a later stage, with the current project components comprising of auxiliary infrastructure which will support the planned upgrade.
These project components include:
- An additional 1 000 m2 parking upgrade along the N1;
- An additional 250 m3 reservoir, to be placed adjacent to an existing reservoir;
- Eastern Portal Upgrade, including an approximate 30 m x 30 m area to be cleared;
- Construction of an additional substation, adjacent to an existing substation;
- 109 m3 Diesel storage, located at the proposed new substation; and
- Road reserve extension along the R101 ramp.
PROJECT PROPOSAL
In greater detail, the project proposal entails the following:
Roadworks Design Development Requirements:
- Accommodate future dual carriageway approach roads;
- Accommodate bi-directional traffic through tunnels during temporary tunnel closures during construction and maintenance.
Increase extent of road in project from 6 km to 12 km:
Dual carriageway road cross-sections to be designed for full length of approach roads from both sides.
Results in inclusion of:
- Hugo’s viaduct new bridge (593 m) for new Northbound carriageway;
- 3x additional bridges; and
- Approximately 5 km of new carriageway.
WESTERN APPROACH
Completion planned of N1 to Western Portal (Incl. 2nd Hugos River Viaduct):
- Eliminates N1 pinch point on existing tunnel approach to single carriageway.
- Proposed three-lane new Carriageway to match existing Carriageway.
- Third lane (Outside Lanes) of each carriageway to function as crawler lane.
- Earthworks and structures constructed for future median divided dual carriageway
EASTERN APPROACH
- Existing single carriageway approach to South Bore Tunnel
- New carriageway to fit through existing bridge Piers 3 and 4
Maintaining dual carriageway to tunnel and approaches:
- Planned second Molenaars River bridge, adjacent to the existing Molenaars River bridge, solves the problem of the R101 Elands River Viaduct’s pier; and provides an alignment of suitable design standard.
- The planned construction of a second (southbound) carriageway on the N1 parallel and adjacent to the existing northbound carriageway, from the Eastern Portal of the North Bore for approximately 3 km to the Du Kloof Resort.
- The planned reconfiguration of the links between the eastern end of the old Du Toits Kloof Pass (R101) and the N1.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Public participation is a key component of the Water Use License process as it introduces the proposed activity to the public and provides an opportunity for comments and concerns to be raised and addressed. Public consultation is required as part of the WUL application process as per the Section 41(4) of the National Water Act (NWA).
First Public Participation Iteration:
The Freshwater and Impact Assessment Report will be made available to the broader public, identified Interested and Affected Parties (I&APs) for their perusal and comment from 02 December 2024 until 21 February 2025 by the following means:
You may provide comment from 02 December 2024 to 21 February 2025. The information may be accessed at www.enviropart.co.za under the Public Participation tab.
- An English media notice will be published in The Cape Times on 29 November 2024.
- An Afrikaans media notice will be published in Die Burger on 29 November 2024.
- An electronic copy of the Freshwater and Impact Assessment Report and Background Information Document will be placed on The Environmental Partnership’s website (enviropart.co.za).
During the 60-day commenting period, all I&APs are invited to submit their comments on or before 21 February 2025. Comments may be submitted to The Environmental Partnership via email or post at the following details:
The Environmental Partnership
5 Summit Way, Constantia, 7806
Tel: 021 422 0999
Email: comments@enviropart.co.za
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