Johannesburg freeways

Johannesburg is heavily dependent upon freeways for transport around the city due to its location 1,500 metres above sea level, far from the coast or any major bodies of water.

The N17 connects the Johannesburg Central Business District and southern parts of the city with Springs on the East Rand and the province of Mpumalanga.

As a result, the Gauteng Provincial Government has put in motion plans to alleviate heavy traffic congestion, which is likely to worsen.

One plan that was partially completed before South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup is the Gautrain: a rapid rail system with a north–south line between Johannesburg and Pretoria, and an east–west line between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton.

The Star and Engineering News report that three new freeways have been planned for Johannesburg:[citation needed] In addition, there were plans afoot to extend the N17 from its end in Johannesburg South, to Krugersdorp, which would have allowed motorists to traverse the metropolitan area in under an hour in free-flowing traffic.