ROAD CLOSURES: Avoid traffic hell on Friday when Parliament sits for 1st time

Source: EWN Traffic

CAPE TOWN - The first sitting of the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces will be at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on Friday.

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on Monday announced Friday as the first sitting to swear in MPs and elect the President. This in accordance with the Constitution, which states that the first sitting must be held no be later than 14 days after the declaration of election results.

Political parties have been scrambling to form a coalition government after the ANC failed to win an outright majority in the general elections.

With Zondo's announcement this week, Parliament officials are currently hard at work ensuring that the CTICC is up and ready for Friday and Saturday's sittings of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

Parliament had to move its serious business from the Cape Town City Hall to accommodate the swearing-in process.

Below are the proposed road closures for the event. It is expected that more closures could be added:

PROPOSED ROAD CLOSURES:

- Walter Sisulu at Lower Long St towards Heerengracht St. All the lanes to the left will be closed. Only the right lane is open. Can be fully closed if required.

- Lower Long St from FW de Klerk Blvd towards Walter Sisulu Ave - closed.

- Lower Long St from Walter Sisulu Ave towards FW de Klerk Blvd - local access only.

- FW de Klerk Blvd at Heerengracht St - local access only.

- Left lane along Heerengracht St between Walter Sisulu traffic circle and FW de Klerk Blvd - closed.

- At the MyCiTi depot along FW de Klerk Blvd, the right lane will be closed to general traffic. Entry and exit to the Remote Search Park. Coned right lane is dedicated for the escort to the P3 parking garage.

Motorists are urged to avoid the Foreshore area and to use alternative routes, especially during the AM and PM peaks.