Traffic Turmoil Looms as Johannesburg Braces for G20 Summit Road Closures

As global leaders descend on Gauteng for the 2025 G20 Summit, Johannesburg is gearing up for one of the province’s most disruptive traffic weeks in recent memory. Law enforcement agencies say they’re ready to keep the event safe and secure, but for residents, the next few days will require extra patience and a seriously updated travel plan.

Hosting the G20 is a big moment for South Africa, but it also means high-security measures across key routes in Joburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni. With convoys, dignitaries, and rolling closures on major highways, many commuters are already bracing for gridlock.

What Residents Can Expect

Authorities have announced a wide web of closures from 18 to 23 November, covering some of Gauteng’s busiest roads. The operation includes the RTMC, JMPD, SAPS, Gauteng Traffic Police, TMPD and EMPD, all working together to coordinate convoy movement and maintain safety.

Officials say these restrictions are necessary for a gathering of this scale, urging residents to build extra travel time into their day and make alternative plans wherever possible. Emergency vehicles and essential services will still have access, and officers will be deployed across the province to help redirect traffic.

Major Highways Hit The Hardest

Drivers will see disruptions on several major interchanges and highways, including:

• N1 from Atterbury to Maraisburg

• N3 north and south flyovers

• N12 interchanges such as Elands, Reading and Comaro

• R21, R24 and R14 corridors

• M1 from Woodmead through Glenhove to Xavier and the Golden Highway

These are routes used daily by workers, students and businesses. For many Gauteng residents, finding alternative paths won’t be optional but essential.

Key Joburg Suburbs In The Impact Zone

Several urban corridors will also be affected, particularly in high-traffic business hubs:

• Sandton: 5th Street, Rivonia Road, Maude Street, Grayston Drive

• Melrose Arch: Whiteley Road, Melrose Boulevard

• Rosebank/Parktown: Oxford Road, Glenhove Road, Jan Smuts Avenue

• Fourways: Winnie Mandela Drive

• Roodepoort: Hendrick Potgieter Road

• Nasrec: Rand Show Road and Nasrec Road

For anyone working or commuting to these areas, weekday travel will likely feel like peak-hour traffic on repeat.

Full Closures Over The Weekend

Some roads will shut down completely as convoys move through:

• Grayston Drive: 22 November, 04:00 to 10:00

• Nasrec Road: 22–23 November

• Rand Show Road (northbound): 22–23 November

• Booysens Reserve Road: 22–23 November

The southern stretch of Nasrec Road will temporarily operate as a dual carriageway to help Ormonde View residents get in and out.

Ekurhuleni Also Feeling The Pressure

While Joburg takes much of the spotlight, Ekurhuleni will host the G20 Social Summit at Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre. This comes with additional closures on:

• 1st Road

• View Point Road

• North Rand Road

• Trichardt Road

• Northern Road

These areas already deal with heavy weekday traffic, meaning delays could easily spike during peak hours.

Expect Stop And Go Delays

Authorities have warned that whenever an official convoy passes, roads will close entirely. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists will have limited movement, and delays of 30 minutes to an hour are expected.

Convoy operations will run:

• 22–23 November

• 07:00–10:00 and 17:00–20:00

These time brackets will be the most congested, especially near highways leading to Sandton, Rosebank, OR Tambo and major hotel zones.

Best Detours To Use

Officials recommend the following alternatives for smoother travel:

• Use M57 instead of the R21

• Travel east–west via Germiston, Kempton Park, Bedfordview

• Roodepoort drivers can use Beyers Naudé, Ontdekkers, Christiaan De Wet

• Fourways commuters should rely on Main Road, Cedar Road, Witkoppen

• Sandton and Rosebank travellers can try Corlett Drive, 11th Avenue, Sandton Drive

• Southern Joburg residents near Nasrec should use Soweto Highway, Main Reef Road, Crownwood Road, N17 and Aerodrome Road

How Gauteng Is Reacting

On social media, Gauteng drivers are already expressing a mix of frustration and resignation. Many say they’re proud South Africa is hosting such a major world event, but wish the province had more public transport options to handle the pressure.

Others joked that employers should declare the week a work-from-home holiday, especially for those who normally sit in traffic between Sandton and Midrand.

Why These Closures Matter

South Africa’s hosting of the G20 Summit is a significant diplomatic moment, placing Johannesburg at the centre of global economic discussions. Events of this scale come with unavoidable disruption, but also offer the country an opportunity to showcase its ability to handle high-security logistics.

For residents, the next few days will be about adjusting routines, planning smarter travel, and keeping an eye on traffic alerts. The province will be buzzing, and if nothing else, Joburgers will have fresh traffic stories to share by Monday.

{Source:IOL}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com