Expect heavy traffic: How SONA road closures will affect Cape Town's busiest routes

Cape Town’s already congested road network is set to face additional pressure as rolling road closures come into effect ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) at City Hall this week.

According to the City of Cape Town, road closures linked to SONA will be implemented from Monday, 9 February to Thursday, February 26, affecting parts of the CBD, the Foreshore and key commuter routes linking the city to the southern suburbs. Traffic flow is expected to be disrupted before, during and after the event, with a mix of full closures, partial restrictions and temporary traffic stoppages on select days.

While the closures are planned and time-limited, they land in a city where congestion has become a daily reality for many motorists. Cape Argus reporting has consistently highlighted the pressure on Cape Town’s road network, with commuters spending extended periods in slow-moving traffic even under normal conditions.

One commuter, Cameron G, previously told the paper that his daily drive from Simon’s Town to the CBD often takes more than an hour in the evenings, regardless of what time he leaves work.

Another commuter, Kayla W. said her morning drive from Brackenfell routinely takes between one hour and one hour and 20 minutes, underscoring how peak-hour congestion has become entrenched across multiple corridors.

City officials have acknowledged that congestion is a growing challenge. Mayoral committee member for urban mobility Rob Quintas has previously pointed to population growth and increased vehicle numbers as key contributors to pressure on the road network, particularly on major commuter routes.

Against this backdrop, even limited or temporary SONA-related closures are expected to have an outsized impact. With routes such as the N2 and M3 and major CBD arterials already operating close to capacity during peak periods, any disruption reduces the system’s ability to absorb diverted traffic. In practical terms, short stoppages can translate into longer delays as queues build quickly and take time to clear.

Within the CBD, several streets will be affected, including sections of Darling Street, Plein and Lower Plein streets, Buitenkant Street, Longmarket Street, Parade Street, Corporation Street and Commercial Street, with some restrictions running from early morning until late evening.

Beyond the inner city, sections of the N2 Settlers Way (city-bound), M3, Rhodes Drive, Philip Kgosana Drive, Union Avenue and feeder roads in Newlands, Rondebosch and Observatory are expected to experience temporary traffic stoppages of about 35 minutes on select days, according to the City’s road-closure schedule.

SONA also concentrates pressure on the transport network during specific time windows, notably late afternoons and early evenings, which coincide with peak commuting hours. When closures affect feeder routes and city-bound highways at these times, congestion can spread far beyond the immediate CBD footprint.

Parking availability in and around the CBD will also be affected, with some areas falling within restricted zones. While signage will be installed, the City has urged motorists to familiarise themselves with the full list of closures, plan alternative routes where possible and allow additional travel time.

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Cape Argus