Pretoria - In preparation for bidding farewell to the late former President Nelson Mandela, the City of Tshwane has taken a decision to close some streets temporarily in the Tshwane CBD.
This, according to the City, is to allow refurbishment works on key routes that were under construction as a result of Operation Reclaim and have them reinstated to their original state.
The affected streets are:
- Madiba Street from Paul Kruger to Lilian Ngoyi: Alternative route - Paul Kruger through Church Square (South) and Paul Kruger to Struben (North);
- Thabo Sehume Street from Johannes Ramokhoase to Pretorius: Alternative route – Paul Kruger through Church Square (South); and
- Pretorius Street from Lilian Ngoyi to Paul Kruger: Alternative route – Visagie (West) or Johannes Ramokhoase (West).
“We would like to ensure that all South African citizens and foreign nationals who will be in our city during the funeral preparations feel welcome in the city, by easing up traffic and making movement easier for them.
“The work that has to be concluded includes the repainting of road markings along main routes, repair and replacement of traffic signals, as well as fixing up and cleaning the streets,” the City said in a statement.
This re-instated work will remain until end of December and will only be removed in January 2014 to enable the contractors to resume relocation of underground services and the permanent upgrading work as part of Operation Reclaim, when the streets will become construction sites again.
The City has planned accordingly to ensure that it is able to deal with and manage the mass influx to the city centre and the Union Buildings during this period.
It is anticipated that the affected streets will be reopened tonight at 11pm.
The traffic congestion and inconvenience that motorists have been experiencing in the inner city since September will therefore continue from January until June 2014, when the upgrading will be completed. – SAnews.gov.za
