The iconic Seekoei Estuary Causeway in Jeffreys Bay, a vital link between Aston Bay and Paradise Beach, is undergoing a transformative reconstruction. Work started on Thursday, May 8th and is planned to be completed by mid-September 2025. This R9.3 million project promises to strengthen infrastructure, enhance safety, and allow for better fresh and salt water mixing above and below the causeway. Here’s what you need to know.
Why is this work happening?
The causeway has faced repeated battering from extreme weather and heavy vehicle traffic over the years. The final straw came during the devastating September 2023 Equinox Spring tides and gale-force winds, which caused severe damage and led to the structure being declared part of a national disaster. This classification allowed the Kouga Local Municipality to secure R10.55 million in Municipal Disaster Recovery Grant (MDRG) funding to repair storm-ravaged infrastructure, with the causeway topping the priority list.
Years of research by the CSIR underscored the urgency of modernising the 50-year-old causeway (originally built in 1973 and last upgraded in 1994). The goal? To create a structure resilient enough to withstand spring tides, 1:100-year storms, and rising floodwaters, without expanding the flood risk to nearby developments.
What’s being done?
The project isn’t just a quick fix—it’s a comprehensive overhaul designed for longevity. Key upgrades include:
- Replacing tar with durable jointed concrete pavement to improve load-bearing capacity.
- Installing four sets of precast portal culverts (3.0m x 1.5m) not only to enhance water flow during floods, but also to allow the mixing of fresh and salt water, vital in estuary ecosystems.
- Reinforcing concrete erosion protection on the upstream side and repairing damaged culverts.
- Restoring road safety features like warning signs, streetlights, and armorflex along the Seekoei River.
- Adding wave protection measures (budget permitting) to guard against future storm surges.
The design prioritises minimal environmental impact while ensuring the causeway can handle extreme weather events that have become increasingly common.
Timeline and disruptions
Construction is expected to take 12 to 16 weeks, with the causeway closed to vehicles during this period. Kouga Executive Mayor Hattingh Bornman acknowledged the inconvenience for Paradise Beach residents but stressed that safety demands a total closure.
“We’re working closely with contractors to minimise disruptions and keep communication clear,” said Bornman. The municipality is collaborating with the Provincial Department of Transport to maintain alternative routes and deploy traffic resources where needed.
Residents are urged to:
- Avoid the construction zone.
- Drive cautiously on detour gravel roads.
- Heed signage and updates from the municipality.
Looking ahead
This project represents a critical investment in Jeffreys Bay’s future, one that balances community needs, climate resilience, and infrastructure innovation. While short-term disruptions are inevitable, the long-term payoff will be a safer, stronger causeway built to serve the region for decades.
Stay tuned for progress updates on our live stream.
Got questions? Reach out to the Kouga Local Municipality for real-time project details.
Key takeaways:
Drive safe! Follow detours and respect closures.
Why? Storm damage + estuary ecosystem.
What? Concrete upgrades, culverts, erosion protection.
How long? 12–16 weeks.
