Cape Town motorists who rely on Baden Powell Drive can breathe a little easier. A new City pilot project is now underway to tackle the long-standing problem of windblown sand — a major cause of unsafe driving conditions and road closures during the windy summer months.
The project kicked off on Monday, February 2, targeting Sandy Corner, the section of Baden Powell Drive most affected by strong southeasterly winds. Each year, sand from the nearby dune system is blown onto the road surface, creating hazardous conditions for thousands of daily commuters.
Led by the City’s Coastal Management branch alongside the Roads Infrastructure Management Department, the initiative is testing practical solutions designed to keep sand off the roadway. These include the use of brushwood and straw to trap moving sand, as well as reprofiling the dune to improve its long-term stability.
City Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews, confirmed that about 5 000 m³ of clean sand is being moved. According to a report on the City’s pilot project, this sand is being returned to circulation in the sea as part of the process.
“This is a trial, and we will track how effective it is over the coming months,” Andrews said, adding that work should be completed by next week if conditions remain favourable.
Baden Powell Drive is a critical east-west link in the metro-south east and plays a key role in keeping Cape Town moving. Any improvement that limits closures and reduces risk is welcome news for commuters who depend on the route daily.
Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, said the City is optimistic about the outcome, noting that sand accumulation becomes a serious challenge during prolonged periods of strong winds.
Once construction work is complete, the City will continue monitoring the dune system throughout the trial period, which runs until June 2026. If successful, the approach could offer a longer-term solution to one of the road’s most persistent safety issues.
Double the relief: Lower fuel prices add to a better commute
For motorists watching costs as closely as road conditions, there is more to celebrate. In case you missed it: here’s the official fuel price outlook for February — providing a second dose of encouraging news for road users this month.
For more trending good news and inspiring stories for our beloved country, visit NOWinSA/EmpowerSA homepage.
