The opening of Parliament road closures

Your guide to road closures and parking to avoid the political hubbub

Once again, the halls of power will fill with pomp and circumstance with the official opening of Parliament in Cape Town on Thursday, 14 February 2013 at 7pm. The illustrious occasion is, as always, marked by the president’s much-anticipated State-of-the-Nation Address (SoNA), a speech in which South Africa’s leader looks back at the achievements and shortcomings of the past year.

Though, the political calendar highlight is, arguably, as well known for its parade of luxury sedans and four-wheel drives as well as for the associated haute couture buzz.

More importantly though, with an increase in lavish vehicles and gas guzzling blue-light convoys on the streets, locals should be in the known when it comes to rush hour and added congestion; take note of the road closures to avoid traffic jams and ridiculous road rage.

So, without further ado, our guide to helping you dodge traffic like politicians dodge accountability.

Road Closures for the Opening of Parliament Road Closures

Road closures and parking restrictions will be in effect on Monday, 11, Tuesday, 12 and Thursday, 14 February for the dress rehearsals and the actual Opening of Parliament 2013.

On Monday and Tuesday, only roads in the CBD will be closed from 5pm to 10pm; so, if you normally depart from a workplace in this area at this time, be sure to leave earlier or to take an alternative route. On Thursday, road closures in this same area are in effect even earlier, from 4pm, and surrounding highways and roads in Newland – there’s also a Cricket Test Match between Pakistan and South Africa  - will close from 5:45pm to 7pm. Patrons who need to move northwards towards the city centre are advised to utilise Metrorail’s services or alternative roads ,as the M3 Freeway will be one of the roads closed between 5:45pm and 7pm.

Certain roads just around parliament will close from as early as 11am on Thursday, 14 February 2013.

ADDITIONAL CONTROLLED ROADS AND CLOSURES:

• Security fencing will line the route in the CBD. There will be guarded pedestrian crossing points during peak time on Adderley Street at Hans Strijdom, Waterkant and Castle Streets.
• Security controlled roads around the CTICC including Coen Steytler Avenue on Thursday, 14 February from 7:30pm to Friday, 15 February at 1am.
• The Company’s Garden will be closed on Thursday, 14 February from 4pm to 8pm.

PARKING RESTRICTIONS – Thursday, 14 February 2013 from 12am (midnight) to 9pm:

Please note that no parked vehicles will be permitted in the following areas:

NEWLANDS

Princess Anne Avenue

CITY

CBD / Foreshore area:

• Adderley St and Heerengracht: between Wale St and Hertzog Boulevard
• Hertzog Boulevard.

Parliament / The Company’s Garden area:

• Church Square: corner of Spin Street and Parliament Street
• Roeland Street: between Buitenkant and Plein Street
• Plein Street: between Roeland Street and Spin Street
• Spin Street: between Parliament Street and Plein Street
• Parliament Street: between Longmarket Street and Bureau Streets.
• Hatfield and John’s Streets: between Roeland Street and Orange Streets.
• Street Mary’s Cathedral Parking Area: between Bouquet Street and Roeland Streets.
• Gallery Lane.
• Queen Victoria Avenue
• Commercial Street: between Buitenkant and Plein Street

ALTERNATIVE ROUTES

Road users are advised to use the following alternative routes to and from the CBD during the event:

M5, Black River Parkway, then onto the N1, Table Bay Boulevard

M4, Main Rd, onto Victoria Rd up to the Good Hope Centre. Thereafter left onto Tennant Rd or right onto Christiaan Barnard Street to circle the outer CBD.

Outer CBD Circle Road: Use the following ring route to and from the area of the CBD affecting you:

• Christiaan Barnard Street
• Table Bay Boulevard
• Buitengragt
• Buitensingel Street
• Orange Street
• Jutland Avenue
• Upper Roeland Street and Brandweer Street
• Tennant Street

MyCiTi BUS SERVICE

The MyCiTi bus service will continue throughout. At the Civic Centre bus station on Hertzog Boulevard, buses will arrive at and depart from the north side of the station (Hertzog Blvd outbound). Passengers and pedestrians will not be permitted to use Hertzog Blvd inbound sidewalks on Thursday, 14 February between 4pm and 8pm and are requested to please use the other access points.

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