Temporary Road Closures on Buitengragt

A series of temporary road closures has taken place in the Central Business District (CBD) over the past two weeks to allow for the construction of a structural steel pedestrian bridge which will form part of the official Fan Walk for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup?. The on-site assembly of the bridge which runs across Buitengragt at Waterkant Street is almost complete. Unfortunately, due to a weather delay, further night-time closures are necessary to complete this process.

The bridge, which was built off-site, is being brought to the CBD in sections to be placed over Buitengragt at the intersection with Waterkant Street, for easy pedestrian access to and from the stadium. The closure of Buitengragt between Riebeek and Strand Streets is necessary to lift, place and assemble the bridge over Buitengragt. Closures in both directions of Buitengragt will continue to take place at night and over weekends to avoid traffic congestion during peak times.

Following on from the assembly of the bridge is the construction of a signalised pedestrian and cycle crossing at road level which will operate in conjunction with the new bridge.

Between Riebeeck and Strand Streets
A further series of temporary road closures, closing both carriageways of Buitengragt between Riebeek Street and Strand Street, has been scheduled in order to complete this work.

The closure schedule, for the period 07 - 21 April 2010 is as follows:

Date	Time
Wednesday - 7 April	19:00 to 05:00 (Thurs)
Sunday - 11 April	05:00 to 19:00
Monday - 12 April	19:00 to 05:00 (Tues)
Teusday - 13 April	19:00 to 05:00 (Wed)
Wednesday - 14 April	19:00 to 05:00 (Thurs)
Thursday - 15 April	19:00 to 05:00 (Fri)
Sunday - 18 April	05:00 to 19:00
Monday - 19 April	19:00 to 05:00 (Tues)
Tuesday - 20 April	19:00 to 05:00 (Wed)
Wednesday - 21 April	19:00 to 05:00 (Thurs)

During the closures, traffic coming down Buitengragt toward the V & A Waterfront will be diverted around the site and back onto Buitengragt via Strand Street, Chiappini Street and Somerset Road. Traffic moving up Buitengragt toward Table Mountain will be diverted around the site and back onto Buitengragt via Riebeek Street, Bree Street and Strand Street. Waterkant will also be closed to through traffic between Bree Street and Buitengragt whenever Buitengragt inbound is closed.

The deviation routes will be clearly sign-posted. Motorists are urged to make use of alternative routes such as Long, Loop and Bree Streets during these periods. If possible, motorists are encouraged to avoid the city centre completely by taking a coastal route via Sea Point or circling to the East via Mill Street and either Buitenkant or Tennant Streets

Although the works area will be cordoned off, pedestrians are urged to stay clear of the site and cross Buitengragt only at the existing pedestrian crossings at Riebeek Street and Strand Street.

Buitengragt Outbound (between Hans Strijdom and Coen Steytler Avenues)

Linked to the City's project to construct a structural steel pedestrian bridge across the inbound carriageway of Buitengragt at Coen Steytler Avenue (approaching the city centre), is the upgrading of the existing pedestrian crossing (at road level) across the outbound carriageway of Buitengragt. In order to minimise disruption, it is intended to carry out the necessary work under one full closure condition, rather than in several parts. Buitengragt outbound (leaving the city centre) will therefore be closed to traffic between Hans Strijdom and Coen Steytler Avenues from 16:00 on Sunday, 18 April until 05:00 on Monday, 19 April.

During the closure, traffic will be diverted around the site and back to the Buitengragt/Coen Steytler intersection via Hans Strijdom Avenue, lower Long Street and Coen Steytler Avenue. The deviation route will be clearly sign-posted. Safe access for pedestrians across Buitengragt outbound will be maintained at all times.

In order to complete the construction of the pedestrian bridge, a number of partial lane closures on Buitengragt inbound will be required between now and the end of May. In order to minimise disruption, these closures will all take place at off-peak times.

The City of Cape Town apologises to residents for the inconvenience caused by these road closures. When completed, the pedestrian bridge will not only make the 2010 FIFA World Cup? a more pleasurable experience, but will also help improve the safety of pedestrians in the city considerably after the event.

Issued by:
Communication Department
City of Cape Town