By Mapaballo Borotho
- The M1 Smit Street interchange on- and off-ramps in Braamfontein will be temporarily closed from Saturday to Monday between 09h00 and 15h00.
- The closure will allow the Johannesburg Road Agency to conduct essential road testing and investigations.
- Motorists are advised to use alternative routes and plan ahead to avoid traffic in the area.
The north- and south-bound Smit Street interchange on- and off-ramps on the M1 will be temporarily closed from Saturday to Monday between 09h00 and 15h00.
The closure is to allow the Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) to undertake essential road testing and investigations.
The JRA says all ramps will be fully reopened during the morning and afternoon peak-hour traffic periods to ease traffic flow.
“Full traffic accommodation, traffic control officers and clearly marked detour signage will be in place.
Motorists are advised to plan their trips in advance, allow additional travel time and follow posted detour signs to avoid congestion in Braamfontein and maintain efficient traffic flow,” JRA said in a statement.
Alternative routes
The first route for general and heavy traffic is via Empire Road to Barry Hertzog Avenue. This route uses major arterial roads designed to carry high traffic volumes and is suitable for buses, taxis and heavy vehicles.
For south-bound traffic on the M1, drivers should take the Empire Road off-ramp, turn right and follow Empire Road until it becomes Barry Hertzog Avenue. Drivers can then access the Braamfontein or Smit Street areas by using Annet Road, Solomon Street, De Korte Street or Biccard/Jorissen Streets.
For north-bound general and heavy traffic on the M1, drivers must take the Empire Road off-ramp, turn left and follow it until it becomes Barry Hertzog Avenue. They can then use the same roads to access the Braamfontein or Smit Street areas.
The secondary alternative route for light vehicles and local access can be done via Carr Street, Annet Road and Solomon Street.
This route provides direct access for the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Braamfontein West and local traffic by avoiding congestion within the Braamfontein central business district grid and near the Nelson Mandela Bridge.
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