The following press release has been issued by the Department of Transport and Public Works on 13 February 2023 with regard to the temporarily re-opening of the R44 with stop-and-go in place:

The section of the R44 known as Clarence Drive has been reopened to traffic with existing stop-and-go arrangements in place.

The road was closed daily from 8am to 6pm as works had to be undertaken following flood damage.

Clarence Drive (the R44) between the Grill Shack (km 53.5) and Steenbras Dam Mountain Pass (km 56.5) was closed for emergency slope stabilisation repairs.

Heavy rains on 11 and 12 December last year caused the slopes above this section of the R44 to become unstable.

The slope stabilisation repairs will be done by Civils 2000 (Pty) Ltd and are scheduled to be completed by 19 March 2023.