Traffic Delays Expected as Cape Town Begins Construction on First Sky Circle

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13-03-2025
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Smile FM
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Commuters traveling through Lansdowne and Hanover Park areas are advised to prepare for traffic delays as construction begins on Cape Town’s first Sky Circle.

The project, part of the MyCiTi bus service expansion, will connect Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha with Wynberg and Claremont. This innovative elevated traffic circle is the first of its kind in South Africa.

To facilitate construction, the signalized intersection at Govan Mbeki Road (M9) and Jan Smuts Drive (M17) will be converted into a temporary traffic circle over the weekend of 15 March 2025. Lane closures will be in place from 13:00 on Saturday, 15 March, until 17:00 on Sunday, 16 March. Commuters are urged to avoid the area during this period due to anticipated traffic congestion.

A significant element of the project includes the installation of a large crane at the center of the temporary traffic circle. Additionally, a temporary steel bridge will be erected over the northbound carriageway of Jan Smuts Drive to ensure safe passage for construction workers. This bridge will have a height restriction of 4.3 meters and remain in place throughout the project’s estimated 18-month construction period.

Traffic Measures and Guidelines:

• Lane closures will be in effect from 13:00 on 15 March until 17:00 on 16 March.
• Detour signs will be placed at strategic points to guide motorists.
• The new traffic circle will be operational from 17:00 on 16 March until project completion.
• A speed limit of 20km/h will be enforced within the traffic circle.
• Pedestrian crossings will be placed at a safe distance from the circle, with flag personnel guiding pedestrians.
• Rumble strips and advance warning signage will alert drivers to the traffic circle.
• Scaffolding will obstruct visibility, requiring drivers to navigate cautiously.

Once the Sky Circle is completed, the intersection will revert to a signalized crossing. The City of Cape Town acknowledges the inconvenience this may cause but assures residents that the project is a crucial step toward improving urban mobility.

‘The Sky Circle Project is a landmark investment in public transport infrastructure,’ said Councillor Rob Quintas, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility. ‘This freestanding elevated circle demonstrates world-class civil engineering and will improve connectivity for thousands of commuters.’

Residents and road users are encouraged to exercise patience and adhere to all road safety measures during the construction period.