Cape Town’s Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system will ensure safe, efficient, quality public transport around the city, but the public can expect some traffic delays while it is under construction.

Kylie Hatton, the City of Cape Town’s Media Manager, said the IRT would benefit all residents and tourists visiting Cape Town but the road works during construction would cause delays in some areas.

“We are doing everything possible to cause the least inconvenience to the public during the construction phases, and we apologise for the inconvenience experienced during this phase” said Hatton.

“The IRT system will benefit everyone in the city, from the poorest to the most affluent. To reap the benefits of an efficient, safe and reliable public transport service that will run every day of the year, we need to endure some short term pain,” she said. “The long term gains for the city will be worthwhile and we hope the public will be understanding and patient during the construction phases.”

According to Hatton the city’s current public transport does not provide frequent scheduled services, or services out of peak times or at night. “Capetonians without private cars struggle to get to certain areas in the city,” she said. “The IRT will make the city more accessible for everyone.”

Once up and running the IRT system will resolve daily traffic congestion. “More people will use public transport once they see how fast, safe and reliable the IRT system will be,” said Hatton. “With fewer private cars driving to work every day, the IRT will reduce carbon emissions in the city.”

Hatton said a world class public transport system would also make Cape Town more enticing to tourists.

The new IRT system will be rolled out in phases over the next ten to fifteen years. Once complete it will cover the entire city and surrounding suburbs.

The first phase will include the airport–city link and the city–stadium link which will be completed by the World Cup in 2010. 

The 2nd phase will cover the areas south east of the city, including Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain as well as the southern suburbs. The 3rd and 4th phases will cover the northern suburbs, such as Bellville and Durbanville and the Delft and Blue Downs areas, extending all the way to the Helderberg.

“The biggest construction areas for Phase 1 will take place along the R27 and in the city centre along Hertzog Boulevard and around the Civic Centre,” said Hatton.

“We have provided an outline of the schedule of construction. The IRT is one of the biggest projects ever taken on by the City and will provide a legacy to the next generation of a world class public transport system that will benefit all. We hope the public will be patient and understanding of the long term benefits to the city, should they be inconvenienced by the construction in the short term,” she said.

Outline of the IRT Construction Schedule – Phase 1

R27 - Blaauwberg Road to Atlantis
Construction of IRT stations between Atlantis and Sandown Road are being finalised, station construction begins in 2010.

R27 – From Sandown Road to Blaauwberg Road
Construction of cycle lane to be completed by March 2010.

R27 – from Blaauwberg Road to Milner Road (Paarden Eiland)
Dedicated IRT lanes and cycle lanes are currently under construction and will be completed by March 2010.

Potsdam Road from Doornbach to Blaauwberg Road
Construction of IRT lanes and a cycle lane begins July 2009 until mid-2010.

Bayside Centre linking to the R27
Construction of a major IRT station and cycle lane begins mid-April 2009

Blaauwberg Road (between R27 & Potsdam Road)
Construction of IRT lanes and a cycle lane in the median of the road will begin in approximately mid-June 2009. The construction will not affect the avenue of trees.

Hertzog Boulevard (and Civic Lane and Old Marine Road)
Construction of dedicated IRT lanes, IRT station and a cycle lane begins mid-April 2009 until March 2010.

Somerset Road
Cycle lane is currently under construction, completed by March 2010

Inner-city IRT Services to Hout Bay
Construction of IRT infrastructure including some IRT lanes, stations and cycle infrastructure begins in the second half of 2009

Century City
Construction of IRT stations begins at the end of 2009, from Century City via Bosmansdam Road and Koeberg Road to the R27 at Woodbridge Island.

Airport
The Airport Plaza, with an IRT station base structure will be completed by December 2009, the station top structure will be completed by March 2010.

Click below to view/download the maps:
Phase 1A - Large (1.6mb) | Small (167kb)
Phase 1A - inner city: Large (1.2mb) | Small (164kb)
Phase 1, 2: Large (2mb) | Small (229kb)
Phase 1, 2, 3: Large (1.9mb) | Small (216kb)
Phase 1, 2, 3, 4: Large (1.9mb) | Small (231kb)