by Dzudzie Faith Netshisaulu
Residents who reside around the FNB Stadium, or thousands of fans who will be making their way to the stadium have been advised to take note of road closures around the stadium.
The Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) has warned motorists of a road closure around the FNB stadium due to the Betway Premiership match between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates Football Club on Saturday.
Speaking on Thursday in Johannesburg, Spokesperson for the JMPD Xolani Fihla said about 24 streets and freeways in the stadium precinct would be affected.
Fihla joined representatives from Stadium Management and both Chiefs and Pirates for a press conference at the Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, to preview the highly anticipated match.
Fihla said a contraflow traffic system would be implemented on Nasrec Road, other roads that would be affected include Nasrec Road, N1 South and North, Golden Highway, Soweto Highway and Booysens Reserve Road.
“On the northern side of the stadium, it will extend from the N17 traffic circle to Shaft 17 Road, and on the southern side, from Adcock Ingram Avenue to Recreation Road. This system will provide three lanes heading toward the stadium before the match and four lanes leaving the stadium after the game.”
He said Soweto Highway will be closed to traffic from 11am between the N1 bridge and Mentz Street in Booysens.
“Additional road closures will also be implemented starting at 17h00 before the match ends. This includes closures on the N17 eastbound between the N1 and the Nasrec Road traffic circle, as well as Rand Show Road Eastbound at N1 and Aerodrome Road. These measures are in place to enhance traffic flow after the match,” Fihla added.
Fihla pleaded with residents living near the FNB Stadium to be patient before, during, and after the match, as traffic volumes are expected to rise.
The organisers meanwhile, have also made provision for Park and Ride services, with Stadium Management’s Bertie Grobbelaar urging soccer fans to consider using Park and Ride services, with the Gold Reef City being one of the parking points where shuttles will be ferrying supporters every 15 minutes.