News24 | Cape Town announces vision for new bridge, neighbourhood to replace unfinished highways

Cape Town's highways to nowhere will be demolished to make way for a new development in the city.

Ethan van Diemen/News24

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has announced the city’s plans to transform the now-iconic unfinished highways into a new link bridge, promenade, and vibrant new neighbourhood.

Flanked by Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson, Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Transnet CEO Michelle Phillips on Friday, Hill-Lewis said: “The project will transform Cape Town’s unfinished highways into a new link bridge and tunnel to relieve inner-city congestion and fix the connection between the Foreshore and Atlantic Seaboard”.

“And most importantly, over the decades ahead, a brand-new vibrant Foreshore neighbourhood will be unlocked, including affordable housing, walkable streets, and a tree-lined promenade along the harbour’s edge all the way to Sea Point,” he added.

Hill-Lewis added that there was “still a lot of work to do and a long way to go”.

“We are releasing drawings to begin a process of public consultation. Then the final designs will be turned into detailed engineering designs, before procurement can begin and eventually, construction,” he said.

The city is proposing to do the project in two phases, with the existing freeways continuing to operate to avoid crippling traffic congestion.

“During the first phase of construction, an iconic new bridge will be built over Buitengracht, and the inbound elevated freeway will be widened, linking the inbound freeway directly to Helen Suzman Boulevard,” Hill-Lewis said.

“This will include a large new public park and public spaces below. This means everyone heading from the Foreshore towards Green Point, Sea Point and beyond will effectively bypass the CBD altogether. This will make a big difference in alleviating congestion.”

In the second phase, according to Hill-Lewis, an outbound tunnel will be constructed and the existing outbound elevated freeway demolished to enable the creation of a new promenade and a new Foreshore neighbourhood.