Welcome to paradise. Here you‘ve got it all. The Atlantic Ocean on the one side, mountains on the other side. Chapman's Peak Drive is a scenic toll road in Cape Town and one of the top visitors destinations in the city. There can be controversy over the toll fee and the price you pay, an issue that is not unique to us - toll fee controversy and usage is a global issue in places where they exist.
There is still confusion about who owns Chapman's Peak Drive. It is not privately owned as some people believe. The provincial government is still the true owner of the road and it is part of the Table Mountain National Park. Entilini, a private company, has an agreement with the government in order to manage Chapman’s Peak Drive for operation and maintenance purposes.
For obvious reasons, Chapman's Peak Drive is arguably Cape Town's most breathtaking drive in one meandering road. It features as one of the top 10 tourist attractions in the Mother City in almost every survey, vote, opinion poll or must-do list. Some say it is the world's most famous drive, we think it's one of the most awe-inspiring.
Due to the dangerous conditions and nature on Chapman's Peak Drive over the years, the engineering behind what we see today is something short of the work of an absolute team of geniuses. Today there are half tunnels, rock shelters, portal canopies and catch fencing employed to ensure the safety of those that wish to drive along this divinely beautiful roadway.
The initial upgrade of the drive, cost millions of rands and the entire upgrade of 2004 was so successful and monumental in the same breath that it won multiple prestigious awards thereby placing Chapman's Peak Drive on the map for South African Engineering Excellence.
The constant maintenance of Chapman's Peak Drive is just as costly, with daily route patrols, routine monitoring and continuous management. Entilini has a complete integrated traffic management system, including weather monitoring , CCTV cameras, variable message signs and a traffic management unit. Any adverse or high risk weather situations calls for immediate road closure and as such a weather station connected via fibre optic cables has been put into place. Opening or closing of the road is a safety decision based on visibility ratings, temperature, wind direction and wind speed that could affect the already unstable slopes (since the 2015 fires). Rock fall mitigating measures involve catch fences and a canopy structure while a natural cut half tunnel keeps visitors safe from potential rock falls.
It is not just tourists who use Chapman's Peak Drive, many locals use the road as a means to a destination but for its' beauty as a leisure outing for hiking, driving or picnicking.
Regular users, particularly those living in the South Peninsula and commuting to the city centre, have the option of registering for the Frequent User Programme. The frequent user programme is a benefit programme to assist locals who utilize the road often to do so at much cheaper rates, based on progressive discounts per month. The more you use #Chappies, the cheaper each subsequent trip becomes. If you use the drive more than 3 times a month, your trip becomes cheaper. Registration is FREE. Frequent User Information
Chapman’s Peak Drive Toll Plaza Office Hours:
The Toll Plaza is open Monday - Friday from 08h00 - 16h30 for registration as a Frequent User.
Address: Toll Plaza, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Plaza Tel: 021 791 8220
Photo Credit: Peter Haarhof, Cape Photographic Company
