Traffic on Helen Joseph Street in Pretoria CBD is set to be negatively impacted as a result of the road closure for the next two weeks due to ongoing construction activities at the South African Reserve Bank head office.
Motorists have been cautioned about the envisaged inconvenience likely to affect their daily use of the road.
Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) has urged road users to reconsider their travel plans on the road during the afternoon peak hours when it will be closed for traffic.
The closure, affecting the stretch between Sisulu and Du Toit Streets, will commence from 4 October and is expected to last until 17 October.
Construction work, focused on the disassembling of tower cranes, will necessitate this key artery's closure during peak hours.
The construction project, which started in October 2022, has been hailed as the first major upgrade in 40 years of the iconic landmark in Pretoria inner-city.
“The upgrade has become necessary as the ageing infrastructure and existing premises are no longer conducive to meeting the SARB’s workspace requirements,” SARB previously said.
The ongoing renovation will include the upgrade of the SARB’s black tower block and the extension of the precinct to incorporate heritage buildings such as the Ken’s Court, the Driving School site and the Netherdutch Reformed Church.
Commuters and motorists are being urged to plan alternative routes as traffic flow will undeniably be impacted.
Already, the construction activities have partially affected a network of surrounding streets, with only single lane closures in effect.
The affected streets include sections of Du Toit Street between Madiba and Helen Joseph Street, segments of Helen Joseph Street between Sisulu and Madiba Street, stretches of Madiba Street between Sisulu and Du Toit Street, and parts of Sisulu Street between Du Toit and Madiba Street.
Although one lane remains operational on these routes, congestion is inevitable.
To alleviate these disruptions, motorists are encouraged to use alternative streets such as Johannes Ramokhoase Street, Lilian Ngoyi Street, Nelson Mandela Drive, and Pretorius Street.
The TMPD said it has deployed officers across all impacted areas to manage traffic flow and ensure safety during this period.
Pretoria News