City of Cape Town’s new Sky Circle is halfway complete

Traffic circle progress well underway

The City of Cape Town has announced that they are making great progress with the construction of their new Sky Circle – the first of its kind freestanding elevated traffic circle at the intersection of Govan Mbeki Road (M9) and Jan Smuts Drive (M17) in Lansdowne.

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis and Councillor Rob Quintas, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, recently visited the construction site to witness the work done to date.

According to Mayor Hill-Lewis, about 50% of the project is completed.

“The Sky Circle Project is part of the roll-out of the second phase of the MyCiTi bus service, linking Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain, and various other communities across the metro-south east. Work commenced in July 2022 last year. I’ve been told about 50% of the project is completed.” the Mayor said.

“The free standing elevated circle will be the first in South Africa, demonstrating civil engineering at its best, and we are so proud to see this happening right here, in Cape Town, as part of plans to be an even better future city with a population of well over five million.” he added.

What is a Sky Circle?

As described by the City, the Sky Circle or elevated traffic circle at the intersection of Govan Mbeki Road and Jan Smuts Drive can be described as a hollow circle in the sky, letting in light to the intersection below.

Once complete, it will be about 6,2m above the ground, and for the exclusive use of the MyCiTi buses.

“By separating the MyCiTi buses from general traffic, the City will ensure the service operates optimally between Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha and Wynberg and Claremont without being delayed by the traffic or congestion at the ground level of the intersection. This design will benefit MyCiTi commuters as it will reduce the travelling time to their destinations,” the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas said.