The N1 highway between Rigella Avenue and the R21 interchange in Pretoria will be closed at times over the weekend and heavy traffic congestion is expected especially on this section of the road on Saturday.
The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) says the road must be partially closed on Saturday and Sunday so that pre-cast concrete beams can be erected over the highway for the construction of a new bridge that forms part of the doubling of Solomon Mahlangu Drive in Erasmusrand.
The highway will be restricted to two lanes in a northerly direction from the R21 interchange to Rigellaan from Saturday at 05:00.
However, the highway in a northern direction will also have to be completely closed in stages throughout the day while the contractor places one concrete beam after another across the highway.
Traffic will be diverted via the R21 during that time.
“Once the beam is in place, the mandatory diversion will be lifted and limited traffic flow will be allowed to two lanes to reduce the congestion of vehicles. The process will be repeated throughout the morning and early afternoon until four beams have been placed in position over the northbound carriageway,” says Alan Agaienz, project manager of Sanral in the northern region.
Sanral warns that a large crane will have to be placed in position over three lanes on the southbound highway on Saturday and Sunday. Traffic in a southbound direction will therefore be limited to two lanes from Saturday at 05:30 to Sunday at 18:00.
“The contractor will start at 08:00 on Sunday by placing a beam across the highway in the southbound direction. During this time, traffic will be diverted on the entire highway via Rigellaan until the beam is in position. The limited lanes will then be opened to traffic in the southbound direction to reduce congestion.”
Agaienz says this process will be repeated on Sunday morning until early afternoon until all four beams have been placed across the highway in the southbound direction.
The crane will then be dismantled.
It is expected that the N1 south will be fully reopened to traffic by 18:00 on Sunday.
Agaienz says the closures may need to be adjusted depending on weather conditions and other unforeseen challenges when the process begins.
Motorists are advised to plan their journeys accordingly, consider the alternative recommended routes, remain vigilant and obey the rules of the road at all times.
