Work on the innovative MyCiTi Sky Circle continues, with new traffic management measures expected soon.
With construction commencing in late 2022, the work is set to be completed in mid-2026, should all go according to plan.
Initially, the City of Cape Town envisioned lane closures to be in effect until April this year. With massive construction works currently underway to construct the ramps joining the already established infamous red roads along the M17 (Strandfontein Road that becomes Jan Smuts Drive at the Sky Circle intersection), another traffic restriction will commence soon.
“The contractor is currently busy with preparations for converting the intersection. “The Govan Mbeki Road (M9) and Jan Smuts Drive (M17) intersection will be converted into a roundabout. This is to allow us to start construction on the elevated sky circle,” says Mayco member for urban mobility, Rob Quintas.
“At this point in time, the contra-flow for westbound traffic travelling along Govan Mbeki Road towards Wynberg is still in place and will be effective until further notice. The contra-flow allows the contractor to do the reconstruction and widening of the westbound carriageway. We want to remind all that the speed limit along the affected section is 40km/h.”
Quintas says to date, construction is moving ahead according to schedule, noting that unforeseen delays may still have an impact in the coming weeks and months, especially heading into the rainy season.
Soon, the removal of traffic signals at this intersection and turning it into a roundabout will have an impact on road users who will need to get used to this change, as well as traffic flow, says Quintas.
“The roundabout will be in place for approximately two years to allow the construction of the elevated sky circle structure. (Contractors) are now preparing the curve around each intersection to widen this as far as possible to allow the roundabout on ground level. The centre island will be fairly wide as we will have to erect a crane on the island to build the elevated portion. The roundabout will accommodate two lanes from all directions to assist with traffic flow, still, there will be an impact on traffic especially during the peak traffic period,” says Quintas.
The City is working on finalising the layout to allow for safe pedestrian movement once the roundabout is operational, which is anticipated to be around mid-August.
“We will inform the public well in advance of the implementation date of the roundabout,” he says.
The first-of-its-kind free-standing, elevated traffic sky circle had an estimated starting budget of R30 million in 2022 for initial work and supplies. This budget will be revised as the project continues (“City gets ball rolling for sky circle”, People’s Post, 14 June 2022).
Preparative work was first implemented in July 2022, with lane closures first implemented in September 2022 at the start of construction. This intersection accommodates high traffic volumes and road users were asked to avoid the use of this intersection, if possible.
At the time, Quintas said: “(The sky circle) will be about 6,2m above the ground and for the exclusive use of the MyCiTi buses, once complete. 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 traffic on the ground level of the intersection. This design will benefit MyCiTi commuters as it will reduce the travelling time to their destinations.”
The construction of the sky circle forms part of a construction works package that includes improvements to the section of Govan Mbeki Road from Jan Smuts Drive (M17) to Heinz Road, which is approximately 2,3 km in length.
Previously, Quintas told People’s Post: “This intersection is along the trunk route – meaning the main route – that forms part of the roll-out of the MyCiTi service between Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha and Claremont and Wynberg.”
“Several future MyCiTi routes will meet at this specific intersection, so the City had to consider the impact of the additional bus traffic on the existing general traffic and the impact of the latter on the buses running on schedule,” he continued. The planned station in Hanover Park will be closest to this circle.
As part of the overall road upgrades to improve traffic flow, the intersection improvements entail the reconfiguration of the intersection, dedicated turning lanes, improved traffic signals and signalisation.
Pedestrians and cyclists will also benefit, as dedicated lanes for walking and cycling along Govan Mbeki Road and at the intersection form part of this project once completed, says the City.
