Staff Reporter.
The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) on Sunday announced that Smit Street has been temporarily closed by the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) as a safety measure.
This comes after an underground fire broke out in one of the tunnels underneath the M1 on Wednesday, which plunged several nearby areas into darkness.
The cause of the fire is suspected to be attempted cable theft and vandalism.
The closure of Smit street is expected to cause severe traffic disruptions in the area.
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla has urged motorists to use alternate routes.
Motorists travelling east and west along Smit Street between Braamfontein and Brixton, accessing the M1 northbound at Smit Street from Braamfontein, and accessing Brixton via the Smit Street off-ramps from the M1 north and south will be affected by the road closure.
“To navigate around the closure, motorists are encouraged to use Enoch Sontonga Avenue for east-west travel between Brixton and Braamfontein, Bertha Street and Jan Smuts Avenue to access the M1 northbound towards Sandton, and the Carr Street off-ramp from the M1 to reach Brixton,” Fihla advised.
Fihla also provided alternate routes for motorists travelling north and south along the M1 highway.
“For those travelling north and south along the M1, the Smit Street off-ramp allows for left turns towards Braamfontein. Eastbound travellers on Smit Street from Brixton can turn left onto the M1 northbound, while westbound travellers from Braamfontein can turn right onto the M1 southbound.”
JMPD officers are on site to assist with traffic management around the closure and its vicinity. Please plan your route accordingly and follow the directions provided for a smoother journey,” Fihla urged.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.