The north- and south-bound Smit street interchange on- and off-ramps on the M1 will be closed from 09:00 to 15:00 on March 7, 8 and 9 to allow the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to undertake essential road testing and investigations.

All ramps will be fully reopened during morning and afternoon peak hour traffic to ease traffic flow, the JRA says.

Full traffic accommodation, traffic control officers and clearly marked detour signage will be in place.

Motorists are advised to plan their trips in advance, allow additional travel time and follow posted detour signs. Public transport operators must brief drivers on the alternative routes.

TWO ALTERNATIVE ROUTES
To prevent congestion in Braamfontein and to maintain efficient traffic flow, motorists are advised to use two primary alternative routes, the JRA says.

The first route for general and heavy traffic is via Empire road to Barry Hertzog avenue. This route uses major arterial roads designed to carry high traffic volumes and is suitable for buses, taxis and heavy vehicles.

For south-bound traffic on the M1, drivers should take the Empire road offramp, turn right and follow Empire road until it becomes Barry Hertzog avenue. Drivers can then access the Braamfontein or Smit street areas by using Annet road, Solomon street, De Korte street or Biccard/Jorissen streets.

Further, for north-bound general and heavy traffic on the M1, drivers must take the Empire road offramp, turn left and follow it until it becomes Barry Hertzog avenue. They can then use the same roads to access the Braamfontein or Smit street areas.

The secondary alternative route for light vehicles and local access can be done via Carr street, Annet road and Solomon street.

This route provides direct access for the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Braamfontein west and local traffic by avoiding congestion within the Braamfontein central business district grid and near the Nelson Mandela Bridge, the JRA says.

For M1 south-bound light vehicles and local access traffic, motorists should take the Empire road offramp and turn right. They should then turn right onto Annet road, then left into Solomon street and continue into Braamfontein west or the Wits Precinct.

North-bound light vehicles and local access traffic should take the Carr street offramp and turn left. They should then turn right onto Annet road, left onto Solomon street and continue into Braamfontein west or the Wits Precinct.