5 would-be bypass routes
1-2.
The so-called "forest" and "northern" routes which would bypass all residential areas were both considered to be "fatally flawed" and rejected due to steep gradients and other environmental factors. 3.
The so-called "proposed/proclaimed route" declared by Sanral to be the safest and most cost effective route follows the initial route proclaimed in 1978. It would start at Groenvlei near the Buffalo Bay turn-off, cross newly built bridges across the Knysna and Salt rivers and end at Brackenhill on the Knysna-Plett road. Not much loved, however, by residents who purchased properties on the western side of town as it would pass through farms, smallholdings, residential suburbs, the Montessori School yard and informal settlements. 4.
The so-called “short route” proposed by a collective of Knysna burghers would see the White Bridge across the Knysna estuary broadened to join the above proposed/proclaimed route. It would, the proponents claimed, be cheaper which meant lower toll fees. Sanral consultants disagreed, citing the costs of a number of new intersections and improvements needed and stressed the importance of a second bridge across the lagoon as an altenative in case the lagoon road was blocked. 5.
The last option did not include a bypass but proposed a widening of the White Bridge and lagoon road and an internal bypass along the Waterfront to improve traffic flow. This option was implemented. –