Southern suburbs residents can brace themselves for extensive construction work on Imam Haron, Chichester and Standhope roads over the next three years.

The City says it expects to start work for the roll-out of the MyCiTi bus service to Claremont in the first week of March. Work will take place on weekdays from 9am to 3pm and is due for completion by December 2027.

The new MyCiTi service will connect commuters from Mitchell’s Plain and Khayelitsha with Wynberg and Claremont along dedicated bus lanes. The Claremont construction is part of the City’s R6.3 billion flagship MyCiTi bus route development.

Most of the construction work will take place along Imam Haron Road (M24), starting at Stanhope Road near the Claremont public transport facility all the way to the M5.

The scope of work for the second phase of the MyCiTi roll-out includes:

Reconstruction of the westbound and eastbound lanes along Stanhope Road, Imam Haron Road (M24) and Chichester Road; including turning lanes at Claremont Boulevard, Palmyra Road, Ravensworth Road, 2nd Avenue/Livingstone Road, Third Avenue and Doncaster Road.

Construction of red bus lanes in the median of Claremont Boulevard, Stanhope Road, Imam Haron Road and Chichester Road.

Construction of a turnaround facility for MyCiTi buses along Garfield Road at the Kenilworth Centre.

New walking and cycling lanes.

Widening of the Stanhope railway bridge – including the construction of new concrete retaining walls to accommodate the widening of Stanhope Road.

Extension of the Black River canal culvert.

Relocation and upgrading of water mains and sewer lines and other services infrastructure.

Installation of new street lighting.

New traffic signals at the upgraded intersections.

The project includes seven permanent road closures at intersections along Imam Haron Road and five at intersections along Chichester Road as approved by the city council in December 2023 after a public participation process

“This will be a game changer for the area which already has a train line and will now have a dedicated bus line which will improve public transport users' experience,” said Ward 59 councillor Mikhail Manuel.

Claremont CBD was a major economic node for the city and the country, he said.

Claremont Improvement District Company (CIDC) executive manager Abdul Kerbelker said the development would make Claremont more accessible to a wider catchment area.

“Additionally, the MyCiTi bus services will relieve the City’s transport system, which is heavily reliant on private motor vehicles, making it the most congested City in South Africa and among the top-50 globally.”

Once the upgrade was completed, he said, commuters would have a choice of five different modes of public transport in the Claremont CBD: MyCiTi, Golden Arrow buses, trains, the UCT shuttle, and minibus taxis.

Upper Kenilworth Improvement District (UKID) member Debbie Wall-Smith said it would be a trying time for motorists, but the UKID hoped the City would manage to also take over the railway network as the combined transport network would have a positive impact on the area.

“Cars will be diverted through UKID, which will place undue pressure on the ancient infrastructure and narrow roads of Harfield, Pine and Kenilworth Roads. If the traffic department does not increase its presence in the area, we will see many accidents and probably loss of lives, especially at the level railway crossing. We hope the City will recognise this and provide additional law enforcement during the three years,” she said.

Mr Manual said disruptions could be expected along Imam Haron Road but not the Claremont CBD itself.

“Traffic will still flow well, but there will be new routes, temporary road closures. These disruptions will, however, be worth it in the long run,” he said.

Mayoral committee member for urban mobility Rob Quintas said: “The City’s investment in expanding the MyCiTi footprint to these areas is the biggest by any South African city to date in improving urban mobility. It is a mammoth undertaking, and unfortunately it will cause inconveniences and longer commuting times while construction is ongoing.

“That said, we are committed to limit the impact on road users as far as possible. Work on the roads itself will only happen outside of the peak periods, and the contractor will ensure that traffic is accommodated in both directions at all times.”

A public information session for residents was due to be held on Tuesday at the Claremont civic centre.

Mr Quintas said pedestrians would be accommodated with safe passage, including temporary crossings; there would be direct access to business premises and residential properties at all times; one lane in each direction would be open to traffic at all times; and temporary signage and flag personnel would be deployed to help keep traffic flowing and ensure the safety of all road users.

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Work to start on MyCiTi route