N1 traffic alert: Cape Town motorists warned of severe Monday morning delays

Cape Town – Motorists travelling on the N1 inbound towards Cape Town have been warned to prepare for possible severe delays on Monday morning as emergency repairs continue on the FW de Klerk Boulevard pedestrian bridge at Paarden Eiland.

The City of Cape Town said the repairs followed damage caused by a truck collision on Saturday night, with engineers working through the day and overnight to restore the damaged structure.

In a statement issued on Sunday, 11 October, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility Rob Quintas said the repair work involved two cranes lifting and realigning a 50-ton section of the bridge damaged in the collision.

*TAKE NOTE IF YOU TRAVEL THE N1*

CITY OF CAPE TOWN

11 OCTOBER 2026

MEDIA RELEASE

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Temporary road closure: N1 from CBD Lower Church Street pedestrian bridge

Residents and motorists are advised of a partial temporary road closure on the N1 inbound and outbound between Cape Town CBD and the Lower Church Street Pedestrian Bridge in Woodstock. The closure follows a truck hitting the bridge early this morning, dislodging the structure and scattering concrete debris across the highway. Structural engineers are assessing the bridge’s integrity while cleanup crews clear the heavy debris. Read more below:

Photos: https://t.co/yKh2cAgXkY

‘This road closure follows a major collision that occurred early this morning. A heavy flatbed articulated truck carrying a large, heavy-duty industrial tank, struck the underside of the Lower Church Street pedestrian footbridge while travelling outbound. The impact dislodged the load from the truck, causing it to tip over into the roadway. This resulted in severe structural concrete spalling, exposed reinforcing steel, and cracking along the underside of the pedestrian bridge deck. This also resulted in concrete debris and shatter fragments spread across multiple outbound traffic lanes,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas.

City Emergency Services, Fire & Rescue, and Law Enforcement were dispatched immediately to secure the scene. Structural engineers and cleanup crews are actively inspecting the bridge’s integrity and clearing the heavy debris from the highway.

‘At the moment, we can’t really say when this road will be open. It is pending the outcome of inspection. The City aims to reopen the road as soon as possible, subject to structural safety clearance.’

Motorists exiting and entering the CBD are urged to avoid the N1 stretch near Lower Church Street and make use of alternative routes:

Albert Road/Sir Lowry Road through Woodstock/Salt River to reconnect further downstream.
N2 Outbound (Nelson Mandela Boulevard) as a primary detour out of the city centre.

The City thanks residents and commuters for their patience and cooperation while emergency crews work to safely restore access.

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Issued by: Media Office, City of Cape Town

Media enquiries: Councillor Rob Quintas, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Tel: 021 400 7197 or Cell: 082 042 3502, Email: [email protected] (please always copy [email protected])

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©️ City of Cape Town

— WC Live Traffic & Safety Reports (@WCLiveTraffic) October 11, 2026

“The heavy duty works have necessitated the closure of that section of the N1 in the inbound and outbound lanes,” Quintas said.

Although repair teams will continue working overnight, the City warned that road closures could remain in place during the Monday morning peak-hour commute.

“Whilst teams are onsite and will continue to work overnight, motorists are advised to plan ahead for the Monday morning commute as closures may still be in place,” the statement said.

The City said it was working to complete the repairs as quickly as possible while prioritising safety.

“The City is working to repair this as soon as possible, and reopen lanes as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Motorists have been urged to allow for additional travel time and prepare for possible disruptions when using the N1 in the affected area.