Read on an adventure riding forum:
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NO MORE TARRING SANI
Just returned from SANI. Tuesday 26 May 2009 during a meeting in Himmville the locals were informed that the tarring of SANI is scrapped due to environmental impact study findings and projected budget. If the pas will be tarred it must,according to law, be done as prescribed by the environmental impact study findings and recommendations. The projected cost will run into the billions according to the strict recommendations not to damage the world heritage site. The first phase (currently busy with) is also unlikely to be completed since it is 2-years over completion time and budget has been reallocated. I spoke with a land surveyor who worked on the design team (stayed at his guest house) who said it was a pipe-dream from the beginning since the pass would have to be closed. Local tour operators are happy...
So, good news for all of us! I could not ever imagine a normal family saloon ever making it up there any way, even if they had tarred the pass. Too steep, too many bends.
-F_D