N1 to be closed for construction of pedestrian bridge

Motorists are being urged to plan ahead and make use of alternative routes.

April 5, 2019

Bennitt Bartl 2 minutes read

The N1 highway has seen many roadblocks during the festive season.

Motorists have been urged to make alternative arrangements as parts of the N1 highway would be closed next weekend for construction work.

Sanral announced the N1 north and south would be closed between the R21 and Rigel Avenue-interchanges between 18:00 on Saturday (13 April) to 04:00 on Sunday (14 April) for the N1 north, and from 18:00 on Sunday (14 April) to 04:00 on Monday (15 April) for the N1 south.

The road would be closed for the construction of a new pedestrian bridge at Erasmusrand.

The bridge is a replacement of the previous structure which was demolished in 2016, according to Sanral spokesperson Masego Seema.

“Road users are advised to avoid this route during these times,” Seema said.

Alternative routes are available.

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Those travelling north from Johannesburg to Polokwane can do so by taking the R21-north towards the CBD, turning right at the Solomon Mahlangu off-ramp towards Garsfontein, turning left onto Delmas Drive towards Waterkloof Ridge and then turning right back onto the N1 at the Rigel Avenue interchange.

Those travelling north from R21 or OR Tambo Airport to Polokwane may drive straight towards the Pretoria CBD, turning right at the Solomon Mahlangu off-ramp towards Garsfontein, turning left onto Delmas Drive towards Waterkloof Ridge and then turning right back onto the N1 at the Rigel Avenue interchange.

Anyone travelling south on the R21 towards Polokwane can take the off-ramp and turn right at the Solomon Mahlangu, turning left onto Delmas Drive towards Waterkloof Ridge and then turning right back onto the N1 at the Rigel Avenue interchange.

Motorists travelling on the N1 south can take the off-ramp at Rigel Avenue and turn left towards Delmas (R50), turn right onto Solomon Mahlangu Drive, turn left onto the R21 towards OR Tambo airport, turn right back onto the N1 and take the off-ramp left onto the N1 southbound towards Johannesburg.

“We encourage road users to plan their trips ahead of time and be cautious as they make use of the detours during this time,” said Progress Hlahla, Sanral’s northern region manager.