If you’re a regular commuter through Cape Town or live in the surrounding areas, you might want to leave home a little earlier—or consider taking a different route altogether.

The City of Cape Town is moving forward with major construction tied to the expansion of the MyCiTi bus service, and that means traffic delays are about to become part of daily life, especially for those heading toward Claremont.

Imam Haron Road to See Major Lane Closures Starting April 29

Starting Tuesday, April 29, one lane on Imam Haron Road will be shut down between Stanhope Road and First Avenue.

This will directly impact traffic heading toward the M5. So, if that’s your usual drive, brace yourself for slower movement or detours.

Stanhope Road—an important connector between Main Road (M4), Palmyra Road, and Imam Haron Road—will also be affected.

This entire stretch is part of the MyCiTi project’s second phase, which aims to link commuters from Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha to key areas like Claremont and Wynberg.

What Changes to Expect Starting April 29

For the next six months or so, drivers should be ready for a handful of specific changes:

One right-turn lane from Stanhope Road to Imam Haron Road will be closed, though another will remain open.
One right-turn lane from Palmyra Road into Stanhope Road will also be closed. The second lane will still allow straight-through or right-turn movement.
Imam Haron Road will lose one lane between Stanhope Road and First Avenue, affecting traffic toward the M5.
Stanley Road’s intersection with Imam Haron Road will be fully closed.
No right turns will be allowed from Roseville, Oakfield, Ravensworth, and Wade Roads onto Imam Haron Road.

Additional Closures Rolling Out From May 14

If you thought that was it—there’s more. Starting May 14, expect even more significant disruptions:

Imam Haron Road will be completely closed in both directions between Cook Road and Markham Road. Drivers will be rerouted via Markham Road.
One lane on Imam Haron Road between Markham and Selous Roads (toward Kenilworth) will be closed, with traffic detoured through Markham Road.
Full closures are also scheduled for intersections at Imam Haron Road with Columbus, Markham, and Franklin Roads.

What the City Is Doing to Ease the Impact

To help soften the blow, the City of Cape Town has a few measures in place.

Temporary signs and flag personnel will be used to direct traffic and keep things moving as safely as possible.

Roadwork will mostly happen during quieter hours—between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM on weekdays—to avoid peak-time chaos.

When necessary, crews will also work overnight and through the weekend (from Friday 7:00 PM to Monday 6:00 AM), with local residents being notified in advance.

Pedestrians won’t be forgotten either, as safe walkways and temporary crossings will be set up throughout the construction zones.

One lane in each direction will stay open during most of the construction, so traffic won’t come to a total halt—but patience will definitely be required.

City Official Says Planning Ahead Is Key

Councillor Rob Quintas, who oversees urban mobility in Cape Town, acknowledged the disruptions and said the project team is working hard to reduce the impact on drivers.

“We know that roadworks are always inconvenient, so we’re doing our best to avoid peak hours and keep both directions moving as much as possible,” he explained.

His advice to Capetonians? Start planning your travel in advance and take alternative routes where you can.