Cape Town - The Western Cape government has unveiled a plaque at Chapman’s Peak Toll Plaza to celebrate the drive’s centenary, and to mark the event. All tolls were suspended for the weekend.
The drive was officially opened to the public on May 6, 1922, and connected Hout Bay to Noordhoek. Premier Alan Winde said it was one of the few roads that were an environmentally good fit for the sensitive environs of Table Mountain National Park.
Mark Jacobs, the general manager of Entilini Concession- the company formed for the reconstruction of Chapman’s Peak Drive and its operation under a Public-Private Partnership concession with the Provincial Government, said that 100 years ago the public had to utilize limited road infrastructure that forced them to travel for many kilometres before Chapman’s Peak and Ou Kaapse Weg existed to get to destinations- especially in the Southern region.
“Chapman’s peak had an economic benefit as well as reducing traffic congestion to all other major routes and what makes it the best, was the breathtaking views all around,” Jacobs said.
Winde said Chapman’s Peak, more fondly referred to as ‘Chappies’, was consistently ranked among the most scenic drives in the world and received awards from the South African Association of Consulting Engineers, the South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors, and the South African Institution of Civil Engineering.
Jacobs said opening the drive for free this weekend came in handy with many celebrating Mother’s Day.
“Over 5 000 Capetonians are registered as frequent users of the drive, passing over the scenic route daily. However, far more people visit the drive every day to take in the stunning vistas over Hout Bay and Long Beach in Noordhoek,” Mobility MEC Daylin Mitchell said.
Winde added that the road played a significant role in connecting tourists, cyclists, commuters, and businesses between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, and demonstrated how infrastructure could enable growth into the future.
Mitchell said the volume of traffic crossing Chappies fell by 53% during the Covid-19 pandemic but recovered to almost 80% of pre-pandemic levels as tourism in the Western Cape recovered.
kristin.engel@inl.co.za