Port Louis Ring Road: Progress, Challenges and the Road Ahead

For years, the Port Louis Ring Road has promised to ease congestion by providing additional access routes into and out of the capital, improving traffic flow for thousands of daily commuters. Designed to take pressure off the city’s main arteries, the project aimed to make travel around Port Louis faster and more efficient. But despite an ambitious start, progress has stalled and many are asking, what happened?

A Quick Look Back

Launched in 2010 as part of a broader road decongestion programme, the Ring Road was planned in three phases. The first, completed in 2013, built a 4.9 km dual carriageway connecting Sorèze to the western edge of Port Louis. It offered immediate local benefits and was meant to link with a future tunnel under Signal Mountain, eventually reconnecting with the motorway in the north.

The full loop promised shorter commutes, less traffic in Port Louis, and better economic flow through the capital. However, that vision has yet to materialise.

Why Progress Stalled

The road’s first phase faced a major setback in 2014 when a section of the embankment collapsed due to unforeseen ground conditions. The failure prompted a full geotechnical review and extensive repair works, which took several years to complete. At the same time, the tender for Phase 2 (which includes the tunnel) became entangled in political controversy, with allegations of irregularities and land speculation further delaying progress.

Combined with funding constraints and a shift in government priorities, the Ring Road’s momentum came to a halt.

Where Things Stand Now

The first phase is fully operational and structurally sound after repairs. However, the much-needed tunnel through Quoin Bluff, the heart of Phase 2, has yet to begin. Until that happens, the road’s function remains limited.

Looking Ahead

There is renewed interest in completing the project. The 2025-26 national budget makes room for the tunnel, and India has committed funding as part of a broader infrastructure package. Singapore has also been tapped for technical advice. Tunnelling under Signal Mountain will be a major engineering undertaking, a first of its kind for Mauritius, and getting it right is crucial.

A Road Waiting to Reconnect

The Port Louis Ring Road, for now, remains half a solution. The infrastructure is in place and performing well; it is the tunnel, and the funding behind it, that will determine whether the full bypass becomes reality. If done right, it could transform traffic in and around Port Louis for decades to come.