Diversions on the M2 due to roadworks
BEREA – The plan is to complete the project by June this year.
Motorists are advised of major roadworks set to take place from March 7.
According to a statement by the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) and the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), the roadworks are due to the implementation of long-term rehabilitation to keep the ageing infrastructure serviceable and functional for motorists.
“The JRA identified close to 30 finger joints, and new construction is taking place to replace them from Maritzburg to the Crown interchange on the M2 in Johannesburg.”
The plan is to complete the project by June this year.
The contractor will conduct work during the night and day, leaving the lanes open to traffic at any period between 09:00 and 16:00. During the night between 21:00 and 04:00, two lanes will be closed, leaving one lane operational.
The M2 eastbound from the Crown interchange to Maritzburg Street has been restricted to two lanes.
The M3 westbound from Maritzburg Street to Ussher Street, near the Crown interchange, will also use two instead of three lanes.
Closure 1 and 2: M1 southbound to M2 east and Simmons Street
The Rissik off-ramp from the M2 east will be closed. Affected motorists will be diverted onto Village Road to bypass the Rissik off-ramp. Motorists will then re-join the highway after Simmonds Street using the M2 east over Loveday Street on-ramp.
Closure 3: Berea on-ramp onto M2 eastbound
The Berea on-ramp to the M2 eastbound will also be closed. Traffic from Heidelberg South Road will be diverted to Durban Street before turning right onto Maritzburg Street. Motorists coming from Maritzburg Street will then onramp onto the M2 eastbound.
Closure 4: Kazerne off-ramp to Maritzburg Street
The Maritzburg Street off-ramp from the M2 east is closed to traffic. The road users from the M2 east will exit at the Joe Slovo Drive off-ramp, keep left and exit at the R29 off-ramp, turn right onto Nuggett Street, left onto Marshall Street and continue for 570m before reaching the Maritzburg Street T-junction. Alternatively, they can take the off-ramp at Ruven Street.
Closure 5: Maritzburg Street on-ramp to M2 westbound
The Maritzburg Street on-ramp will be closed. The Maritzburg Street motorists will join the M2 westbound to keep to the left onto the M2 east on-ramp. Then proceed to the M2 east for about 500m, keep left to exit at Vickers Road off-ramp, turn right at the northern, and another right at the southern terminal and proceed to the M2 west. This diversion is about 3.3km.
Closure 6 & 7: Stott Street on-ramp to M2 westbound
The Stott Street on-ramp from Eloff Street and Stott Street intersection may become inaccessible for a limited period. The motorists using Eloff Street and Stott Street from the city centre should pass the closed on-ramp and continue straight to Trump Street. At the intersection of Trump Street and West Street, motorists going to the north are diverted to the right of Booysens Street and then onto Booysens on-ramp ahead. At the same intersection (Trump and West streets), motorists going to the east and south of Johannesburg will be diverted straight to Trump Street and West Street, where they can turn right into West Street and then left into the West Street on-ramp to the M2 west.
Future closures
According to the statement from the JRA and JDA, the east and west main carriageways will remain open to traffic (albeit with restrictions) throughout the six-month duration of the rehabilitation works. Several ramps will be periodically closed and traffic diversions will be implemented for such scenarios. The ramps are Rissik Street off-ramp from the M2 east and Stott Street on-ramp to the M2 west.
The aim of replacing the existing surface with an improved structure is to reduce future road deterioration and solve the problem of continuous road repairs.
“The rehabilitation of this road will minimise the breakdown of vehicles, accommodate the increased traffic density and cater for pedestrians and other non-motorised traffic close to the motorway.”
Johannesburg road users are urged to adhere to the road signs for safety purposes.
The JRA and JDA apologised to road users for any inconvenience caused.
