The City’s transport directorate is investing R2.1 million in improving traffic flow on Kloofnek Road and to create a safe footway for pedestrians along Signal Hill Road.
The project started in April and is scheduled for completion by the end of August, if all goes according to plan and if bad weather doesn’t stall work.
The City’s mayoral committee member for transport, Felicity Purchase, said the footway would accommodate pedestrians who usually walk from the MyCiTi stop at the top of Kloofnek Road to the steps opposite the SANParks office. Once completed, pedestrians will be able to use this footway to a point where they can access the off-street contour path to Lion’s Head.
“This area is extremely popular among tourists, visitors, and local residents and will help to improve the safety of those on foot,” she said.
Improvements to assist with traffic flow are also under way on the Camps Bay-bound approach off Kloofnek Road at the intersection of Tafelberg and Signal Hill roads.
Currently, about 160m of the footway has been completed.
A yield controlled pedestrian crossing will still be added at the crossing point on Signal Hill Road, at the point at which steps lead up to the SANParks contour path to the Lion’s Head parking lot.
The widening along Kloofnek Road on Lion’s Head side is still in progress.
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The City said the excavation would not extend beyond the relatively narrow strip that is currently visible on the Lion’s Head side of the roadway.
They said the current short right-turn lane on Kloofnek Road heading towards Camps Bay does not sufficiently meet the demand and often results in queuing right-turning road traffic and obstructs the movement of other traffic.
“We have investigated possible solutions, and have decided to implement a longer dedicated right-turn lane, along with a separate through lane. This change will necessitate the widening of the road within the existing road reserve so that we can achieve the relevant lane-width requirements. The widening is being implemented within the road reserve and existing cut-slope or embankment on the Lion’s Head side of the roadway,” said Ms Purchase.
She added that traffic exiting from The Glen and Signal Hill towards Camps Bay, would need to turn left and then proceed right around the median island, in a similar fashion to negotiating a traffic circle.
“Many vehicles approaching along Kloofnek Road from Camps Bay exceed the posted speed limit. This creates a dangerous situation for those exiting from Tafelberg Road and Signal Hill Road. Thus, the change is deemed necessary and is in the interest of road safety and improved traffic flow,” she said.
She said the improvements would alleviate congestion and improve pedestrian and vehicular safety at the gateway to one of the five key tourism destinations in the city and It will benefit visitors and daily commuters using this route as we anticipate fewer delays.
“It couldn’t have come at a better time – the requirement to practise social distancing will be with us for the foreseeable future and the footway will make it possible for pedestrians to give each other a bit more space without stepping on the road,” she said.
Ward 54 councillor Nicola Jowell, said the changes should make a significant difference to those commuting home to Camps Bay, Clifton and Hout Bay and for drivers on the school commutes and to seasonal and tourist visitors to the area, beaches and mountain.
Article posted by the Atlantic Sun 25 June 2020
