Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has unveiled the City’s vision to transform the Foreshore’s unfinished highways into an iconic new link bridge, promenade, and vibrant new neighbourhood. The proposal will see Cape Town’s legendary unfinished bridges finally being completed, relieving congestion in the CBD for decades to come, and unlocking economic opportunity for a growing Cape Town.

See the Mayor’s speech delivered at the unfinished highways today.

The Foreshore Precinct Project will further unlock an entire new neighbourhood on 15 hectares of land around the existing unfinished highways, which has remained undeveloped for over 50 years and is among the last vacant CBD land available.

A new bridge will directly link the inbound freeway to Helen Suzman Boulevard, bypassing Buitengracht below. The outbound freeway will be replaced by a tunnel underground running next to Duncan Road.

‘This is a historic day for Cape Town. Every one of us who has grown up here has looked up at these big unfinished bridges time and time again and wondered what happened, why they were never finished, and when they ever would be. We’ve all heard ten different urban legends about why they weren’t finished. Most Capetonians today can't remember a time when they weren’t here.

‘Well, today I am excited to unveil this vision for a new Foreshore precinct that will see these legendary bridges being finished at last. We’ve been working on this project for the last few years in detail, but in truth, we’re getting the ball rolling on finishing some 50-year-old unfinished business! And these are not just bridges. They will help address some of Cape Town’s biggest congestion headaches, while unlocking huge investment, job creation, and more affordable homes for Capetonians.

‘The project will transform Cape Town’s unfinished highways into a new link bridge and tunnel to relieve inner city congestion and fix the connection between the foreshore and Atlantic Seaboard. And most importantly, over the decades ahead, a brand new vibrant Foreshore neighbourhood will be unlocked, including affordable housing, walkable streets, and a tree-lined promenade along the harbour’s edge all the way to Sea Point.

‘Cape Town is one of the world’s great port cities, and everything about our identity is shaped by the sea. By removing the physical barriers between city and sea, we will reconnect with our maritime identity and heritage.

‘The one thing that unites all the truly great cities of the world is this: they are ambitious and optimistic about the future, and they are not daunted by doing big things to build that better future. We want Cape Town to be the City of Hope in South Africa. That means doing bold things, and that’s exactly what we are doing today. Not since before the 2010 World Cup has Cape Town enjoyed major public road and transport upgrades. Now we are doing two – the expansion of the MyCiTi bus network to Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain, which is under construction along all 42km of that project; and now this Foreshore Precinct Project.

‘There is still a lot of work to do and a long way to go. Today is the beginning of the public facing phase. We are releasing drawings to begin a process of public consultation. Then the final designs will be turned into detailed engineering designs, before procurement can begin and eventually, construction. But since the public will soon be consulted on these plans for the first time, now is the right time to make public what we’ve been working on behind the scenes,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.

The City is proposing to do the project in two halves, with the existing freeways continuing to operate to avoid crippling traffic congestion.

‘During the first phase of construction, an iconic new bridge will be built over Buitengracht, and the incoming elevated freeway will be widened, linking the inbound freeway directly to Helen Suzman Boulevard. This will include a large new public park and public spaces below. This means everyone heading from the foreshore towards Green Point, Sea Point and beyond, will effectively bypass the CBD altogether. This will make a big difference in alleviating congestion.

‘In the second phase, an outbound tunnel will be constructed, with the existing outbound elevated freeway being demolished. This will enable the creation of a new promenade and brand new Foreshore neighbourhood.

‘We look forward to engaging Capetonians on these proposals, with many opportunities for public participation coming up,’ said Mayor Hill-Lewis.

While the development of the bridges and tunnel will take the best part of the next decade to construct, all of the new neighbourhoods will unfold even beyond that. This project will unlock growth and development in the city for the next two to three decades.

To build the tunnel south of Duncan Road, the City is currently engaging Transnet about land that is owned by the Port Authority.

City Manager, Lungelo Mbandazayo, said the project is an opportunity to transform and future-proof Cape Town’s CBD.

‘Every generation has the responsibility to plan ahead for what is needed in decades to come, and this is our turn. We have been working on these solutions for many years, we have and continue to engage stakeholders across the three spheres of government, as well as our colleagues at the relevant Stated-owned Entities.

‘The most important phase is now: where we are presenting our proposals to Capetonians. We have created a special online hub where you, the public, can see all of the detailed proposals and announcements. We will update the information as we go along, and inform you of the engagement and public participation opportunities. Please register, and be part of this exciting and important journey. This is your city, and we want you to be involved,’ said the City Manager.

Phase 1 Project Summary

• To commence construction during the next term of office of Council
• Includes two additional inbound lanes on the freeways
• Construction of the link bridge from the inbound freeways to Helen Suzman Boulevard
• New elevated outbound ramp to connect Buitengracht over Dock Road to the existing outbound freeway
• FW de Klerk Boulevard becomes a pedestrian-oriented street
• A new canal links Buitengracht Park to the V&A Canal
• A new park is created under the Buitengracht link bridge
• Bus lanes are implemented across Buitengracht
• Three land parcels become available for a new residential area

Phase 2 summary

• A new outbound bridge that links Helen Suzman Boulevard with the outbound tunnel
• The tunnel is constructed on vacant land between the Port and Customs House, from where it will continue next to Duncan Road to link with the N1 and the N2 freeways
• The outbound elevated freeway viaduct is demolished
• The creation of the promenade, parks and public spaces along the harbour edge
• All of the remaining land parcels become available for development
• Construction of this larger phase to run until 2040

Public Participation

The City will begin the first of many public participation processes about key steps that are needed to realise the proposed vision.

Visit the Foreshore Precinct Project website to register for regular project updates.

The City will also announce further public participation processes and engagement opportunities as these become available in coming months; these include road scheme amendments, heritage impact assessments, and other statutory requirements.