The construction of Cape Town’s first Sky Circle will commence later this month. To enable the construction work, the signalised intersection at Govan Mbeki Road (M9) and Jan Smuts Drive (M17) in Lansdowne will be converted into a temporary traffic circle on the weekend of 15 March 2025.
Image: City of Cape Town
The construction of Cape Town’s first elevated Sky Circle is set to commence later this month, marking a significant milestone in the city's urban mobility landscape.
To facilitate the project, the signalised intersection at Govan Mbeki Road (M9) and Jan Smuts Drive (M17) in Lansdowne will be temporarily converted into a traffic circle over the weekend of 15 March 2025.
A large crane will be installed at the centre of the traffic circle, and road users are advised to avoid the intersection during this period due to expected lane closures and traffic delays.
This Sky Circle, the first of its kind in South Africa, is a crucial component of the MyCiTi bus service expansion, designed to connect Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha with Wynberg and Claremont.
The conversion of the four-way signalised intersection into a temporary traffic circle will take place from 1pm on Saturday, 15 March 2025, until 5pm on Sunday, 16 March 2025.
Motorists should anticipate disruptions and plan alternative routes accordingly.
Detour signs will be strategically placed to guide road users around the closure.
Additionally, a temporary steel bridge will be installed over the northbound carriageway of Jan Smuts Drive to ensure the safety of construction workers.
This bridge will have a height restriction of 4.3 metres and will remain in place for the duration of the Sky Circle's construction.
Lane closures will begin at 13:00 on 15 March and end at 17:00 on 16 March 2025.
Motorists should avoid the intersection over the weekend due to anticipated delays.
From 17:00 on 16 March 2025, traffic will flow through the newly established ground-level traffic circle.
The temporary traffic circle will remain in place for the estimated 18-month construction period.
Once construction is complete, the signalised intersection will be reinstated.
‘The Sky Circle project forms part of the second phase of the MyCiTi bus service roll-out, aimed at enhancing connectivity for commuters from Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, and surrounding areas to Claremont and Wynberg,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.
‘This free-standing elevated circle is a first in South Africa and represents an incredible feat of civil engineering right here in Cape Town.’
A crane will be installed at the Govan Mbeki Road (M9) and Jan Smuts Drive (M17) intersection in Lansdowne. The intersection will be converted into a traffic circle on 15 March 2025 to facilitate the construction of Cape Town’s first elevated Sky Circle.
Image: City of Cape Town
To ensure a smooth transition, the city has implemented several measures:
Advance warning signage and flashing orange lights will notify drivers of the new traffic pattern.
Clear signage will direct motorists to the correct lanes in advance.
A speed limit of 20km/h will apply within the traffic circle.
Rumble strips will be installed on all four approaches to alert drivers and reduce speed.
Due to scaffolding and ongoing construction, visibility within the traffic circle will be limited.
Pedestrian crossings will be provided at a safe distance from the traffic circle, with flag personnel stationed on-site for guidance.
‘The metro-south east MyCiTi expansion is the largest financial investment in public transport by any metro to date,’ added Councillor Quintas.
‘With construction taking place on the traffic circle itself, road users will witness first-hand the progress of this engineering achievement. I urge all motorists to drive cautiously, adhere to speed limits, and follow flag personnel instructions.’
While traffic disruptions are inevitable, the long-term benefits of improved public transport infrastructure will significantly enhance mobility for Capetonians.
The City of Cape Town thanks road users for their patience and cooperation as this groundbreaking project takes shape.
kim.kay@iol.co.za
IOL
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