R797m N7 Van Schoorsdrift bridge project due by March 2027
The R797 million Van Schoorsdrift upgrade on the N7 in Cape Town is scheduled to be finished in March 2027, with most drainage and kerb work already done.
A R797 million road project on the N7 in Cape Town is moving towards its finish line. According to IOL, the Western Cape infrastructure department has scheduled the Van Schoorsdrift Road Safety Improvement Project for completion in March 2027.
What is being built
The project covers roughly 5km of new road and six bridge structures. It will do away with intersections at road level, as well as the risky right-hand turns that make drivers cross oncoming traffic. The aim is to lift this stretch of the N7 to freeway standard.
Once the new interchange is open, traffic movements that used to cross each other at ground level will be separated. The department says this should cut the number of points where vehicles come into conflict and help traffic flow more smoothly along the corridor.
The regional weighbridge facilities will also be relocated. Weigh-in-motion technology will be installed in both the northbound and southbound lanes, so heavy vehicles can be weighed while they keep moving. Authorities say this will help them keep track of overloading.
Progress so far
- 95% of the stormwater drainage work is complete.
- 98% of the kerb construction is complete.
- The bridge structures and the new road alignment have advanced significantly.
- Streetlights are now being installed.
Jobs and local business
The department says the project has created 394 work opportunities, well above its target of 280. The work recorded so far adds up to more than 83,000 person-days. Another R131.8 million has gone to targeted enterprises.
Western Cape Infrastructure MEC Tertius Simmers said infrastructure spending should improve safety, connect communities, create jobs and boost economic growth. "Every milestone brings us closer to a safer, more efficient N7," he said. He added that the project remains on schedule for March 2027, provided construction conditions stay favourable.
What this means for road users
Motorists and freight operators who use this part of the N7 can expect a safer and more free-flowing route once the work is finished. Until then, the March 2027 date depends on the weather and other conditions on site. Anyone who travels the route regularly should keep an eye on the construction zone as the final stages of the work continue.
This story is based on reporting by IOL.
