Chapman's Peak Drive, Cape Peninsula, South Africa
S 34° 04.833 E 018° 21.465
34H E 256192 N 6225761
This is one spectacular drive; don't miss the fabulous views and breathtaking highway engineering!
Waymark Code: WMJ8YW
Location: Western Cape, South Africa
Date Posted: 10/12/2013
Views: 12
Chapman's Peak Drive is a multi-agency endeavor which has one end at Hout Bay, on the northern side of Chapman's Peak Drive, and runs all the way to Noordhoek, at the southern end of Chapman's Peak Drive. It is touted as "one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world" by the Chapman's Peak Drive website.
The activities that can be enjoyed along this route are endless; picnics, photography, hiking/running, cycling, whale watching, horseback riding, fishing, water sports, sightseeing, and annual events such as the largest timed cycle race in the world, the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour, each March, where cyclists cover the highest point of Chapman's Peak.
History:
In teh early 1900's, Sir Frederic De Waal (first administor of the Cape) first planned the construction of the road. It took years of study and creative ingenuity to carve a road into the steep, unstable cliffs and deep gullies, while keeping the road within sight of the gorgeous ocean as much as possible. It took a full 7 years to complete the project, which opened for traffic in 1922. In 1962 the popular road was widened. In 1977 a washout removed part of the road and damaged a bridge, requiring considerable effort to restore. Mother Nature delights in providing all kinds of thrills on this road; it's not just the scenic views that will take your breath away, but also falling rocks and mudslides. A mudslide in 1998 killed four people and caused other injuries, and road was closed in January 2000 after another mudslide caused a death. Some major engineering changes were applied to the road and it was able to be reopened by 2003. Unique road engineering uses of rock shelters, half tunnels, a cantelevered canopy and terrain modeling/revamping make the highway itself worth the drive!
The re-engineered Chapman's Peak Drive was awarded the following distinctions:
• Winner of the SAACE National Award for Engineering Excellence (2004)
• Winner of the SAFCEC National President’s Award (2004)
•Winner of the Bentley Systems prestigious international award (civil Design) for 3D and 2D rockfall hazard analysis and design using the Microstation suite of geospatial software packages (2004)
•Runner-up in SAICE’s National Award for Excellence in Civil Engineering (2004)
NOTE: This is a toll road. Check the website below for current rates.
Program: Other
Website: [Web Link]
Official Name: Chapman's Peak Drive
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