South Africa has the longest tunnel in Africa – and it’s getting a R4 billion upgrade

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13-04-2026
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The Huguenot Tunnel, measuring 3.9 kilometres in length, is the longest road tunnel in Africa and is currently undergoing upgrades by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) worth R4 billion.

The South Bore Tunnel opened in March 1988, while the North Bore Tunnel remains closed to traffic. SANRAL initiated plans and tenders for the North Bore in 2024 to expand the tunnel system from two to four lanes. 

The North Bore is currently in the commissioning phase and will be fully equipped for live traffic once completed. Simultaneously, SANRAL is refurbishing the South Bore to ensure it meets modern standards.

At present, the South Bore accommodates bi-directional traffic, but the ultimate goal is to operate the system with one-way traffic in each bore, with two lanes in each direction.

“The electrical and mechanical systems have, however, neared the end of their life and need replacement to ensure compliance with international safety standards,” said SANRAL.

In October 2024, SANRAL confirmed the tenders for the North Bore. While construction was initially scheduled to start in the first half of 2025, the project is still in the procurement phase.

According to a “Milestones in Motion” document Sanral published in 2024, the project will cost approximately R4 billion.

“A R4 billion project upgrade is set to change the Huguenot Tunnel from a single, bi-directional tunnel to two separate carriageways, each in single-directional tunnels,” it said.

“Using the latest technology, the upgraded dual tunnel will greatly improve the efficiency of traffic on the N1.”

Since its opening in 1988, the Huguenot Tunnel has seen over 100 million vehicles pass through. This is according to Sanral’s statistics from its 2024 Milestones in Motion report.

Currently, the tunnel accommodates an average of 13,000 vehicles daily, allowing drivers to save up to 26 minutes compared to travelling via the Du Toitskloof Pass.

To date, this has resulted in an estimated savings of 5.5 million barrels of fuel.

R4 billion upgrades

In 2024, when the Milestones in Motion was released, Sanral CEO Reginald Demana stated that the plans were still in the design phase, and that the upgrades would align the Huguenot Tunnel with international standards.

Key upgrades include:

• Transparent wind barriers on the Hugo’s River Viaduct to minimise the risk of trucks overturning.
• Sensors for monitoring air quality, traffic conditions, and lighting conditions.
• Wind turbines are installed next to the tunnel entrances to reduce energy demand.
• An intelligent, distributed jet fan ventilation system for optimal fresh air supply.
• An additional high-level reservoir to provide water in the event of fire emergencies.

The project is expected to take up to five years to complete, depending on its sequencing and any unforeseen challenges.

The plan is to complete the North Bore first, followed by the closure of the South Bore for refurbishment, with the goal of having the system fully operational within three to five years.

In 2024, former transport minister Sindisiwe Chikunga inspected the tunnel system, describing it as an example of engineering excellence in South Africa.

The tunnel has garnered significant scientific interest due to its unique geology and the research opportunities it presents. One proposal is to create an underground research facility within part of the tunnel.

Professor Richard Newman, a nuclear physicist at Stellenbosch University, believes that the site is ideal for an underground physics laboratory located adjacent to or within the tunnel corridor.

This laboratory would be the first of its kind in Africa, and Newman highlighted that Sanral’s upgrade project offers an excellent opportunity to establish it.

The proposed facility, named the Paarl Africa Underground Laboratory (Paul), would occupy a separate section of the tunnel and be designated for use by professional researchers and postgraduate students.