Cape Town CBD undergoes major upgrades with Bree Street pilot project

Cape Town’s CBD is in the middle of a visible refresh, with new street design experiments and behind-the-scenes infrastructure upgrades rolling out across the City Bowl.

The most noticeable change is along Bree Street, where a six-month pilot project is reshaping one of the inner city’s busiest corridors. Led by urban advocacy group Young Urbanists, the initiative is testing ways to slow traffic and make more room for pedestrians — part of the City’s broader CBD Mobility and Accessibility Plan, which identifies Bree Street as a Special Activity Street.

Stretching between Shortmarket and Wale streets, the pilot reduces the number of vehicle lanes from two to one in each direction, creating space for wider walkways, seating, and greenery.

According to the Cape Town Central City Improvement District (CCID), on Tuesday, April 29, more planters were being offloaded, while others were already boasting trees and indigenous plants.

As a precinct street experiment, the CCID said it forms part of the Safe Passage Programme, a partnership between Young Urbanists and the Suppliers Development Initiative (SDI) Trust.

Tasso Evangelinos, CEO of CCID, stated that the organisation supports the experiment since it promotes safer movement by vehicles, bikers, and pedestrians while also providing an opportunity to upgrade the area and beautify the streetscape with plants and benches.

While Bree Street is getting a visible makeover, work is also happening underground across nearby suburbs.

In Gardens and Oranjezicht, the City is investing around R10 million in water infrastructure upgrades, targeting ageing pipes that have led to recurring bursts and service disruptions.

The work is being rolled out in phases across several streets, including Montrose, Upper Orange, Belmont, Myrtle and Jagersfontein.

Work at Summerseat and Higgo Crescent has already been completed, while additional upgrades along Montrose, Upper Orange and Belmont began in January 2026.

A third phase, covering Myrtle, Jagersfontein and Prince, commenced in February 2026.

According to Ward 77 Councillor Francine Higham, these projects were scheduled to address recurring burst pipes, reduce unplanned water disruptions, and secure more reliable services for residents in the years ahead.

Ms Higham stated that the Myrtle/Jagersfontein Project, affecting Jagersfontein Lane, Jagersfontein Avenue, Myrtle Street, and Prince Street, is scheduled for completion in June 2026.

“The contractor is currently undertaking three key water main connections, including an important connection on Prince Street, linking the new Jagersfontein Lane water main to the existing Prince Street line.”

She provided an update on progress, noting that 194 metres of new water main have been installed along Jagersfontein Avenue and Lane.

Final pressure and bacteriological testing have been completed, with the next step being the switch of household connections from the bypass system to the new main, scheduled for today, April 30, and final reinstatement works will follow thereafter.

She stated that Jagersfontein Lane remains open, although the road width is reduced. Myrtle Street and Jagersfontein Avenue are operating as one-way routes for the duration of the works.

Temporary water shut-offs and periods of low water pressure may occur where necessary, with advance notice provided where possible. 

“I understand that the project has been disruptive, particularly with water interruptions, access restrictions, traffic impacts, and safety concerns. Please be assured that all concerns raised with me have been escalated to the project managers, and I remain in regular contact with the team to minimise disruption and keep residents informed. 

“While some inconvenience is unavoidable, these upgrades are essential to secure more reliable infrastructure for the long term," she said.

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