What is traffic like in Centurion?

[HibiscusTunes]

Lets just say it is bad.km from Centurion west to Jean road N1 onramp usually with traffic takes atleast 20 min. Average 30, worst was 2 Hours 2 months back when there was flooding.

 

[Ho3n3r]

Lets just say it is bad.km from Centurion west to Jean road N1 onramp usually with traffic takes atleast 20 min. Average 30, worst was 2 Hours 2 months back when there was flooding.

Yeah it's bad - you mean the N14 onramp(towards Clubview), right?

 

[Forza]

:wtf:

That is quite the opposite of my experience over the last 3.5 years.

Before 15:30 it's fine though.

I work in the Highveld area.

I drive from Olivienhoutbosch over John Voster. Go left as you going to Makro. Right by the robots on West Ave under the bridge and left onSouth Road. Therefore not sitting in the John Voster or Lenchen Traffic

 

[Foxhound5366]

Well from my perspective...

Phew krycor, thanks for that flood of info. I reckon I'm gonna have to get out a map and a red pen to get all the value out of it

Can't believe you mentioned that EcoPark gets icy, lol, it's gonna be a shock to my system. Cape Town's coldest temperature in winter has been like 12 degrees, lol ... this place is the definition of 'moderate climate'.

 

[krycor]

Phew krycor, thanks for that flood of info. I reckon I'm gonna have to get out a map and a red pen to get all the value out of it

Can't believe you mentioned that EcoPark gets icy, lol, it's gonna be a shock to my system. Cape Town's coldest temperature in winter has been like 12 degrees, lol ... this place is the definition of 'moderate climate'.

I'm ex-Capetonian The difference between Gauteng winter and Cpt is that Cpt has rain, wind and freezing wind from mountains if ice persists hahaha.. Gauteng winters are dry but sunny so you typically have a decent temperature day from 9am to 4-5pm in the sun. Be prepared for getting use to 0 to -ve temp at night and perhaps consider evaluating rental design(northeast facing) and airflow too e.g. if you need to seal windows and doors yourself (I did this.. makes a few degrees difference and noticeable).

Pretoria is warmer than Johannesburg, and its like a 0.x degrees per km north.. Jhb city is cold because of the lack of vegetation so if u wanna see how cold it is.. go to the neighbourhood goods market in winter and prepare to die/freeze. Centurion is ok.. reason I mentioned EcoPark in particular is that it's one of the coldest places in Centurion i've been told by people and experienced a few times (I work that side).

@Charlie21 EcoPark side to Centurion mall only has delay in peak by the N1 turn off traffic etc. It's not too bad once u know how to drive alternative routes. Most of the traffic is heading towards Centurion West, South (Jhb) and North (PTA) which includes some of the north eastern routes. So yes.. i think for least traffic the area along with CBD side is good but does come with some cost

 

[phoneJunky]

Phew krycor, thanks for that flood of info. I reckon I'm gonna have to get out a map and a red pen to get all the value out of it

Can't believe you mentioned that EcoPark gets icy, lol, it's gonna be a shock to my system. Cape Town's coldest temperature in winter has been like 12 degrees, lol ... this place is the definition of 'moderate climate'.

Being from Cape Town originally as well, it gets much colder here in the mornings, but by 10 the temperature is quite nice for the rest of the day until the evening. Just get a few more blankets when you sleep and a thick jacket and gloves when you go to work then you should be able to mitigate most of the cold.

I stayed in Die Hoewes, Amberfield and Eco Park and I also worked at Southdowns. Amberfield was the nicest to stay, but further to drive and if something goes wrong with the traffic lights it takes forever. Die Hoewes (depending which complex you stay in) was the second nicest apartment and traffic is generally free flowing. Eco Park is close, but in my opinion the apartments were build shoddily. It looks nice at first, but it feels like the developers cut corners.

If I were you I would rent in Highveld, but not the part where the students stay although that part is cheaper as well.

 

[Ho3n3r]

I work in the Highveld area.

I drive from Olivienhoutbosch over John Voster. Go left as you going to Makro. Right by the robots on West Ave under the bridge and left onSouth Road. Therefore not sitting in the John Voster or Lenchen Traffic

Eco Park is not John Vorster first. It's Witch Hazel, then Oak, then Olievenhoutbosch. Or Witch Hazel, then the bridge over the highway(no idea what the name is), then Lenchen before you hit John Vorster. Both of these are a nightmare after 16:00, except on random days where it's fine for some reason - very few and far between.

Getting from Highveld not involving Lenchen, Oak or Witch Hazel is a whole different story altogether. But you said Eco Park. So it does.

 

[Forza]

Eco Park is not John Vorster first. It's Witch Hazel, then Oak, then Olievenhoutbosch. Or Witch Hazel, then the bridge over the highway(no idea what the name is), then Lenchen before you hit John Vorster. Both of these are a nightmare after 16:00, except on random days where it's fine for some reason - very few and far between.

Getting from Highveld not involving Lenchen, Oak or Witch Hazel is a whole different story altogether. But you said Eco Park. So it does.

Using the Entrance 2 (back entrance/exit) of Eco Park Estate is Olievenhoutbosch therefore not sitting in the Witch Hazel Traffic.

That's why I said I don't use the Lenchen route over that "Private Bridge" route because of traffic but going the other way around is far quicker. And with the directions I've mention coming from Eco Park or Highveld is best going to Centurion Mall and about 10min after work

 

[Forza]

I'm ex-Capetonian The difference between Gauteng winter and Cpt is that Cpt has rain, wind and freezing wind from mountains if ice persists hahaha.. Gauteng winters are dry but sunny so you typically have a decent temperature day from 9am to 4-5pm in the sun. Be prepared for getting use to 0 to -ve temp at night and perhaps consider evaluating rental design(northeast facing) and airflow too e.g. if you need to seal windows and doors yourself (I did this.. makes a few degrees difference and noticeable).

Pretoria is warmer than Johannesburg, and its like a 0.x degrees per km north.. Jhb city is cold because of the lack of vegetation so if u wanna see how cold it is.. go to the neighbourhood goods market in winter and prepare to die/freeze. Centurion is ok.. reason I mentioned EcoPark in particular is that it's one of the coldest places in Centurion i've been told by people and experienced a few times (I work that side).

@Charlie21 EcoPark side to Centurion mall only has delay in peak by the N1 turn off traffic etc. It's not too bad once u know how to drive alternative routes. Most of the traffic is heading towards Centurion West, South (Jhb) and North (PTA) which includes some of the north eastern routes. So yes.. i think for least traffic the area along with CBD side is good but does come with some cost

I agree. Another Capetonian (been this side of the work for 2 years now) so can agree with all regarding the weather. I definitely don't miss the Cape Town winter with wet, winding and cold weather. But can get ice cold in the mornings and evenings this side. You will need a balaclava because your face will get **** cold. The days are good though as the sun is out so no need to wear a jackets whole day.

And yes true the delay is on the N1 Turn off but if you remain on the far right lane is goes smoother. But still too a bit of traffic at the next robots where Rapsody's/Total is. And being a Capetonian I hate sitting in traffic

 

[Ho3n3r]

Using the Entrance 2 (back entrance/exit) of Eco Park Estate is Olievenhoutbosch therefore not sitting in the Witch Hazel Traffic.

That's why I said I don't use the Lenchen route over that "Private Bridge" route because of traffic but going the other way around is far quicker. And with the directions I've mention coming from Eco Park or Highveld is best going to Centurion Mall and about 10min after work

Fair enough.

 

[Foxhound5366]

Hi there all, just so we've got a bit of closure on this thread, y'all might be interested to know that I ended up finding an apartment in Highveld, which is only 1km away from my work (straight down John Vorster). Even if the peak traffic there is a nightmare, I don't reckon 1km can take too long to cover lol.

In fact, I'm even wondering whether walking the distance would be safe: it's 1km for goodness sake, and that part of John Vorster seems to be mostly shopping centres (the little amble from Marco Polo Street to Karee Street). Any Centurionites on here already doing such a thing, or is it strictly cars-only even in that area?

 

[vinodh]

There's proper sidewalk only from Nellmapius to Karee. Before that it's just a matter of keeping off the road since it's the usual bunch of savage drivers that you have to lookout for.

 

[Beachless]

Its South Africa. You should be fine 90% of the time but there has been quite a few attacks on people walking around Centurion.

 

[krycor]

Just be vigilant.. I've walked from Centurion CBD to Mall@Reds at 8pm a few times (miss timing the Gautrain bus vs train when I use it rarely before Uber - even then it's a good workout) and never felt unsafe though I am very aware of surroundings and people generally don't mess with me so maybe it's that.

Thing you need to consider is this.. You will be walking regularly this targetable. Opportunistic crime in SA is huge but random theft & violent crime remains planned i.e. You making yourself a target as you become predictable so maybe just be very vigilant and be careful of taking expensive goods with you like notebook

 

[Foxhound5366]

Thing you need to consider is this.. You will be walking regularly this targetable. Opportunistic crime in SA is huge but random theft & violent crime remains planned i.e. You making yourself a target as you become predictable so maybe just be very vigilant and be careful of taking expensive goods with you like notebook

*meh* I hate that this has become the South African thought process. There's no future like this, if you can't even walk 1km along a main road without fearing for your safety. I knew this though, but I figured I may as well ask in case Centurion is somehow an uncorrupted paradise (all we have left is hope). Thanks ANC.

 

[krycor]

Basic safety.. Yes you can just ignore but if something happens and you realize it was planned you regret not taking precautions

 

[Foxhound5366]

Basic safety.. Yes you can just ignore but if something happens and you realize it was planned you regret not taking precautions

If I go for a walk and a beluga whale falls from the sky and crashes on my head, I'll regret not wearing a helmet too. The line between reasonable precaution and 'the sky is falling' paranoia lies solely in probability. Unfortunately in South Africa, the probability of **** is always higher than anywhere civilized.

 

[crackersa]

If I go for a walk and a beluga whale falls from the sky and crashes on my head, I'll regret not wearing a helmet too. The line between reasonable precaution and 'the sky is falling' paranoia lies solely in probability. Unfortunately in South Africa, the probability of **** is always higher than anywhere civilized.

Doubt a helmet would save you

 

[phoneJunky]

I jog through Highveld and past your work quite often. I have never really felt unsafe, but when I cycle I feel that I need pepper spray with me, just in case.

I assume you stay in one of the complexes in Charles de Gaulle street then, it is a bit busy there because of the college. I know a few people staying there and they jog without any issues. Walking should also be fine. Walk on the side closer to Irene golf estate, I think there is a path along there.

 

[Foxhound5366]

I jog through Highveld and past your work quite often. I have never really felt unsafe, but when I cycle I feel that I need pepper spray with me, just in case.

I assume you stay in one of the complexes in Charles de Gaulle street then, it is a bit busy there because of the college. I know a few people staying there and they jog without any issues. Walking should also be fine. Walk on the side closer to Irene golf estate, I think there is a path along there.

That's cool phoneJunky, nice to see not everybody's in full panic mode there You gave me a thought though: arranging a casual jogging group once I'm there, coz there's safety in numbers (plus it's more social anyway). I'm looking forward to exploring the area and meeting the locals!