The City has implemented a contra-flow for westbound traffic travelling along Govan Mbeki Road towards Wynberg. Flag personnel will guide commuters, and all road users are reminded to adhere to the 40km/h speed limit along this section, and to adhere to signage. 

‘The Sky Circle Project is part of the roll-out of the second phase of the MyCiTi bus service between the metro-south east and Wynberg and Claremont. Work commenced in July last year, and is now well under way with about 25% of the project completed – this includes the relocation of some of the underground services, and the sinking of the underground stilts for the sky circle. While I am proud of the progress, the one reality is that road construction projects always bring some level of inconvenience as we need to accommodate traffic while we are busy improving the infrastructure. The Sky Circle Project is no different, and we are now at a point where road users will have to be extra cautious when travelling through the construction area,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

Contra-flow along Govan Mbeki Road (M9)

• Will be implemented at 09:00 on Wednesday, 30 August 2023, until at least March 2024
• Will be in place 24/7
• Will be implemented along Govan Mbeki Road between the intersections with Heinz Road and Link Road, at the entrance to the Lansdowne Corner Shopping Centre
• Thus, westbound traffic travelling towards Wynberg will be moved over to the eastbound lanes
• Similarly, the eastbound traffic travelling towards Khayelitsha will be accommodated on two lanes further to the north – this will create the contra-flow of traffic
• The carriageway (two lanes in both directions) will be available to road users during the peak-hour periods – thus, before 09:00, and after 15:00
• The contractor may limit traffic flow to one lane in each direction outside of the peak-hour period (09:00 to 15:00), as and when needed
• Delineators will indicate the temporary westbound/eastbound lanes
• There is permanent lighting at the intersection of Govan Mbeki Road and Jan Smuts Drive to improve visibility at night

‘Road users will be guided by flag personnel, there will be delineators, and signage. Again, I urge all to please adhere to the 40km/h speed limit along this section, and to be extra cautious, as it will take some time to get used to the contra-flow, especially while driving at night,’ said Councillor Quintas.

The contra-flow will allow the contractor to commence with the reconstruction and widening of the westbound carriageway.

‘All-in-all the Sky Circle Project will take about 44 months to complete, thus nearly four years, with the City investing in new infrastructure and upgrades at the said intersection in Lansdowne. The improvements in this area will bring great benefits to the local community, and all road users in general. I want to thank residents for their ongoing support and patience while we are on site,’ said Councillor Quintas.

A sky circle:

The elevated traffic circle at the intersection of Govan Mbeki Road and Jan Smuts Drive can be described as a hollow circle in the sky, letting in light to the intersection below. The traffic circle will be about 6,2m above the ground, and will be for the exclusive use of the MyCiTi buses, once complete. The free standing elevated circle will be the first in South Africa, demonstrating civil engineering at its best, to the benefit of all road users. A visual impact assessment formed part of the design and approval process. Given that the elevated traffic circle is hollow, there will be sufficient light reaching the ground level. By separating the MyCiTi buses from general traffic, the City will ensure the service operates optimally between Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha and Wynberg and Claremont without being delayed by the traffic or congestion at the ground level of the intersection. This design will benefit MyCiTi commuters as it will reduce the travelling time to their destinations. The proposed Hanover Park closed median station is the closest MyCiTi station to this intersection and will serve commuters along the trunk route to operate along Govan Mbeki Road. The station will be built at a later stage, closer to the implementation date of the service.

Other road users will also benefit from significant upgrades:

The intersection at Govan Mbeki Road and Jan Smuts Drive experiences congestion during peak hour periods. Included in this project are interventions to improve traffic flow with:

• the reconfiguration of the intersection;
• dedicated turning lanes;
• improved traffic signals; and
• improved signalisation or sequencing

Pedestrians and cyclists will benefit from dedicated lanes for walking and cycling along Govan Mbeki Drive and at the intersection, and streetlights will be installed to improve visibility and safety at night. Existing sewer, water and stormwater infrastructure within the road reserve will be relocated and upgraded, which means improved services to the surrounding communities.

Building a City of hope and prosperity:

The City of Cape Town’s expenditure on the roll-out of the MyCiTi service to the metro-south east is the biggest financial investment in public transport by any metro city to date. We are working day and night to improve our public transport service offering to Capetonians. This offering includes the expansion of the MyCiTi service footprint. Public transport should be accessible, convenient, affordable, reliable and safe. We are committed to these goals. Improved mobility means improved productivity, more jobs and economic growth, and better lives and futures for all of us who call Cape Town home.