Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) says despite several weather-related delays and challenges it is confident that it will resume operations on Monday 2 September.
The cableway has been closed for annual maintenance for the past month.
TMACC is performing a full cable replacement for the first time since the 1997 revamp, as well as maintenance of the hanging and running gear.
This necessitated a seven-week closure.
The cableway adheres to stringent international standards, such as the Swiss governing body for cableways.
TMACC management updated the media on the progress so far during a site visit today (Wednesday).
Managing director of TMACC, Wahida Parker says inclement weather had a major impact on operations.
She explains that the storms experienced delayed cargo shipment of crucial equipment and helicopters could not operate due to strong winds. According to Parker major upgrades on Tafelberg Road also played a role.
Parker says despite the challenges the project is still on track.
“I want to commend our staff who has gone above and beyond to try and make up for lost time and ensure that we meet the reopening deadline.”
Andries de Vries, technical executive manager for Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC), says each cable car uses four 1.5 km-long track rope cables (the station-to-station length is 1.2 km).
Each cable is currently being replaced.
He explains that the current track ropes have reached their 20-year lifespan.
Each cable weighs about 20 tonnes and takes about a week to replace.
Parker says to ensure strict compliance with the preventive maintenance protocols stipulated by global governing standards and guidelines, TMACC closes the Cableway annually to complete certain required tasks.
De Vries explains that all TMACC’s equipment is manufactured by world cableway market leader Doppelmayr Garaventa Group, an international manufacturer of ropeways and people movers for ski areas, urban transport, amusement parks, and material handling systems.
He says 4 cables (two per cable car) have already been replaced and adds that the rest will be replaced in the next few weeks.
Parker says: “We are confident that after this work is completed, we would be meeting, as we always do, the internationally recognised standard and get that stamp of approval that gives us the confidence to operate this cableway and take up millions of visitors as we intend to do despite the 7-week closure.”
Parker explains that the estimated cost cannot be confirmed at this stage but says “It is not a cheap exercise”.
“The track ropes had to be purchased, stored, insured and installed. As you can imagine with the exchange rate being what it is, it’s a pretty hefty price tag,” she concludes.
