The City of Cape Town announced on Tuesday that it will soon start construction on a new freestanding elevated traffic circle at the intersection of Govan Mbeki Road and Jan Smuts Drive in Hanover Park.
It claims the traffic circle will be the first of its kind in South Africa. It will be about 6.2 metres above the ground, and will be for the exclusive use of the MyCiTi buses, once complete. It is described as "a hollow circle in the sky, letting in light to the intersection below".
The innovative engineering project forms part of the roll-out of the MyCiTi bus service to the metro-south east.
It will take nearly four years to complete and assist with traffic flow and easing congestion. Pedestrians and cyclists will have dedicated lanes, separated from the road.
About R15 million will be spent on temporary work opportunities for residents who are registered on the local jobseekers database, as well as R15 million for local subcontractors to provide goods and services to the main contractor for this project.
"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 City of Cape Town said in a statement.
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