Cape Town is gearing up for a significant increase in traffic this week due to the docking of two large cruise ships, the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria.
Cape Town traffic congestion expected on Thursday, 11 April 2024 – Here’s what to expect
The Queen Victoria was set to arrive early on Thursday morning at 07:00 and is expected to depart the following day, while the Queen Mary 2 will dock early on Friday at 05:30, remaining until Saturday evening.
Due to these arrivals and the large number of passengers expected to board, heightened traffic volumes are anticipated around Cape Town’s central business district and waterfront areas.
Motorists are advised to avoid Nelson Mandela Boulevard, FW De Klerk Boulevard, and Buitengracht Street if possible, as these routes are expected to experience significant congestion.
In a statement, City official JP Smith confirmed Traffic Signal Operators will closely monitor these areas, using CCTV to manage and adjust traffic signals dynamically throughout the day.
Alternative routes and early travel are recommended for those who need to access the waterfront.
Passengers of the cruise liners are specifically asked to use the Christiaan Barnaard and Marine Drive entrances instead of the general Waterfront access points to alleviate the pressure on main thoroughfares.
Traffic management strategies and city planning
In response to the expected congestion, Cape Town’s traffic services, in collaboration with port officials, are taking proactive steps to ensure smoother traffic flow.
Cllr Rob Quintas, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, stated that traffic operators will adjust signal timing to accommodate the influx of vehicles into and out of the city centre.
They will also be in constant communication with the operations personnel at the V&A Waterfront to optimise traffic management in real time.
Variable message signs from the Cape Town Freeway Management System will be utilised to inform motorists of congestion hotspots and suggest alternative routes.
Additionally, manual traffic control measures, such as pointsman duties, will be employed at key intersections to manage the heavy vehicle flows more effectively.
