Cape Town’s ‘Sky Circle’ reaching new heights as major MyCiTi transport upgrades proceed
31 October 2024
The City of Cape Town is making excellent progress with the construction of the freestanding elevated traffic circle, the first of its kind in South Africa, at the intersection of Govan Mbeki Road (M9) and Jan Smuts Drive (M17) in Lansdowne. Earlier today, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Councillor Rob Quintas, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, visited the construction site to witness the work done to date.
‘The Sky Circle Project is part of the roll-out of the second phase of the MyCiTi bus service, linking Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, and various other communities across the metro-south east. Work commenced in July 2022 last year. I’ve been told about 50% of the project is completed. The free standing elevated circle will be the first in South Africa, demonstrating civil engineering at its best, and we are so proud to see this happening right here, in Cape Town, as part of plans to be an even better future city with a population of well over five million.
‘The metro-south east MyCiTi expansion is the biggest financial investment in public transport by any metro to date. We are working non-stop 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, as improved mobility means improved productivity, more jobs, economic growth, better lives and futures for all of us,’ said Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
In August 2023 last year, the City implemented a contra-flow for westbound traffic travelling along Govan Mbeki Road towards Wynberg to allow the contractor to commence with the reconstruction and widening of the westbound carriageway.
‘Next, the project team will convert the signalised intersection of Govan Mbeki Road (M9) and Jan Smuts Drive (M17) into a traffic circle. This is planned for early in December, and we will inform the public of the finer details well ahead of time. The Sky Circle will be constructed on the traffic circle, meaning, every time road users and residents go around the traffic circle they will witness the progress of this engineering achievement. On this note, I want to thank the public for their ongoing support and patience. Road construction projects always bring some level of inconvenience as we need to accommodate traffic while we are busy improving the infrastructure to keep Captonians moving,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob 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. Once complete, it will be about 6,2m above the ground, and for the exclusive use of the MyCiTi buses.
‘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,’ said Councillor Quintas.
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,’ said Councillor Quintas.
Existing sewer, water and stormwater infrastructure within the road reserve will be relocated and upgraded, which means improved services to the surrounding communities.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
