A Concor consortium special purpose company, Capstone 252, has been chosen as the preferred bidder for an R128m contract to build, operate and maintain Chapman's Peak Drive as a toll road for 30 years. The unsuccessful bidder for the concession was Basil Read Bouyges.

The scenic route connecting Hout Bay to Noordhoek has been closed for more than a year because of rockfalls, which have killed and injured people driving along the road. The road is scheduled to be reopened in November next year.

Transport MEC Tasneem Essop said the department would contribute R70,5m over 2002-03 and 2003-04 financial years.

'A strong aspect of the bid submitted by the Concor consortium was its clear understanding of the social and environmental sensitivity of Chapman's Peak Drive and its integral link with Cape Peninsula national park,' Essop said. 'Stringent targets have been set regarding black economic empowerment.

'In this regard, 30% of the equity in the proposed concession company will be held by previously disadvantaged enterprises.

'And at least 20% of construction and 40% of operational and maintenance work will be undertaken by black enterprises.'

Essop said that using figures based on the toll fees, which included substantial discounts for frequent users, motorists would receive value for money when compared with the cost of using alternative routes.

Essop said the toll fees were still subject to final negotiations, but reassured commuters that they would receive 'significant' value for money from using the route. The cost of tolling was expected to be 17% of the toll revenue collected.

'On a net present value basis, the 30-year life cycle construction, operating and maintenance cost of R128,2m is significantly less than risk-adjusted cost had the conventional procurement route been followed.'

Capstone 252 has undertaken to erect 1560m of high-energy absorbing catch fences, two concrete, cantilevered rock shelters of 80m and a 155m half-tunnel, two toll booths, 9km of road pavement and picnic sites.

Drainage and retaining walls will be improved and a seismic monitoring system installed.

The vertical and horizontal alignment of the road will remain unchanged with only minor increases in width at sharp bends.

Essop said the award of preferred bidder status to the Concor consortium was subject to a few outstanding matters being finalised. Chapman's Peak Drive would be declared a toll road by a notice in the provincial gazette. Construction work would start immediately.