New drone images taken this week show the dramatic progress on Cape Town’s new elevated traffic circle.
Also known as the ‘Sky Circle,’ the impressive construction is now clearly visible above Lansdowne.
The structure, which will hover 6.2 metres above ground once complete, forms the centrepiece of the MyCiTi bus service expansion through the metro-southeast.
The latest visuals offer Capetonians their clearest look yet at the scale of the project.
A rising landmark in Cape Town
The Sky Circle sits at the busy intersection of Govan Mbeki Road (M9) and Jan Smuts Drive (M17).
When finished, it will exclusively serve MyCiTi buses linking Nyanga, Strandfontein, Wynberg, Athlone, Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha.
By lifting the busway above the bustle of regular traffic, the City of Cape Town aims to cut travel times, reduce congestion and improve overall efficiency along a corridor long plagued by delays.
The Mother City’s traffic woes are well documented. Cape Town was recently ranked the ninth most congested in the world. City officials hope the Sky Circle will set a new standard for smarter, more reliable mobility.
Sky Circle: From blueprint to reality
The drone photos reveal concrete pillars emerging from the reconfigured intersection, while earthworks, foundations and the first elevated components are now taking shape.
These works form part of a wider overhaul of the surrounding roads. This will ultimately include upgraded traffic signals, new turning lanes and improved spaces for pedestrians and cyclists.
“This is a milestone for Cape Town,” said the City’s Mayco Member for Urban Mobility, Rob Quintas, when construction began.
“The metro-south east MyCiTi expansion is the biggest public transport investment by any metro to date – and residents will be able to watch the Sky Circle rise day by day.”
Height restrictions remain in place
As construction continues (with an estimated 18-month timeline) motorists should note ongoing height restrictions.
A temporary steel bridge spans the northbound carriageway of Jan Smuts Drive for worker access, limiting clearance to 4.3 metres for heavy vehicles.
