According to the project manager, Mr Riaan Oerlemans, the pass will only be closed for traffic once blasting and drilling starts, and a timetable for this is yet to be determined.

On how the work in the pass will affect the Loskop Marathon on 18 April, he said that KPMM has been notified of the event and that now there will be no impact whatsoever on the runners.

Mr Oerlemans says that a draft roster for current excavations and clearing of the site, has been submitted for approval by the engineer, within the next 14-days.

But, with any long term project surprise factors, like the weather, can negatively impact on the timetable and the roster will be adapted when needed.

At present, only the top of the pass is affected by excavations which will later descend to where the two resterbeds will be constructed at the bottom of the pass.

The two year project will however have a major impact on traffic, since a large part of the existing road, ahead and after the pass, will be upgraded alongside the construction of an additional lane in Kranspoort.

Traffic will be diverted at bridge structures and culverts and a number of stop-and-go points can be expected.

The maximum speed limit in the pass itself, will be lowered to 40km/ph to ensure the safety of both motorists and construction workers in the months ahead.