Tshwane Metro Council has outlined its plans to permanently close major routes to general traffic as part of the implementation of its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.
These include Paul Kruger Street, between Pretoria Station and Boom Street.
Several temporary road closures will also be implemented during the construction phase of the BRT route.
According to the municipality, Paul Kruger Street will be closed to traffic except for property owners, employees and visitors as well as delivery vehicles, cyclists and emergency vehicles.
Church Square (Pretorius Street to Madiba Street) will also be closed to all classes of traffic except for the BRT buses and cyclists.
The municipality’s BRT team had a briefing session with Tshwane Chamber of Commerce and Industries (TCCI) this week on progress relating to the system and the proposed closure of some major routes.
TCCI president advocate Salim Yousuf said they were happy that some adjustment had been made regarding the proposed closure of Paul Kruger.
DEDICATED LANES
Yousuf said they had been informed that there would be dedicated lanes for BRT buses and certain classes of traffic.
“This is a positive step,” he said.
Yousuf said the issue of on-street parking in Paul Kruger Street and Church Square needed to be tackled.
“We have Pretoria High Court on Church Square and parking needs to be provided for lawyers and people who come to court.
“There is not enough parking on Church Square and the situation will become worse once on-street parking is taken away along Paul Kruger Street,” he said.
Yousuf said council needed to look at the loading zones issue.
“There are businesses along Paul Kruger Street and proper loading zones need to be provided.”
Yousuf said they were happy with the consultations regarding the BRT.
“Unlike the planning of Operation Reclaim, the BRT planning and consultation have been excellent so far. The team is listening to the concerns raised by affected parties,” said Yousuf.
According to the metro council, the streets earmarked for closure during the construction work are:
- Nana Sita Section (Paul Kruger – Kotze) – construction started in January and is expected to be completed in August. Two lanes per direction have been closed temporarily along Nana Sita.
- Closure of intersections along Nana Sita are planned as follows: Thabo Sehume, Lilian Ngoyi, Sisulu, Kotze (June 21 to July 14)
- Kotze – University: full temporary closure with access for local residents and businesses on Kotze to Nelson Mandela (July 8) Meintjies to Troye (June 13 to October 29).
- Troye to Vos (July 3 to 15)
- Vos to Melville – July 5.
The University of Pretoria section has to be approved by council before dates of road closures can be confirmed. Motorists who used to travel in an east/west direction along Nana Sita Street before construction can take the following alternative routes:
- Eastbound – alternative route is along Francis Baard (between Bosman Street and Nelson Mandela). Alternatively, motorists can take Jeff Masemola (Jacob Mare) Street. Motorists will be able to cross Nana Sita in the southern direction at various intersections except during closures listed below.
- Westbound – alternative routes are Pretorius street (between Nelson Mandela Drive and Sophie De Bruyn Street) and Visagie Street (between Nelson Mandela Drive and Bosman Street) -Pretoria News