Story audio is generated using AI
Traffic flow on the M1 freeway was severely disrupted on Monday as the Smit Street on-ramps and off-ramps in Johannesburg were closed while members of the SA Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) protested over wage disputes, causing traffic congestion in the city’s CBD and surrounding areas.
The Johannesburg metropolitan police department (JMPD) said the closures affected both northbound and southbound carriageways.
Department officers have been deployed to manage traffic and direct motorists away from the protest, with diversions in place.
Motorists travelling south on the M1 from Sandton or Rosebank have been advised to exit at Empire Road or Jan Smuts Avenue and use routes through Parktown.
Those travelling north from Booysens or other southern areas have been urged to use Booysens Road or the M2 East, and Joe Slovo Drive, to bypass the CBD.
The JMPD has also advised east-west commuters to use the M2, M11 (Victoria Avenue or Joubert Park) or the N1 Western Bypass.
Motorists have been urged to follow traffic officers’ instructions, approach diversions with caution and allow extra time for their journeys, particularly during peak hours.
TimesLIVE
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.