Broken traffic lights cause chaos at Edenvale intersection

Non-functioning traffic lights cause chaos for motorists every day.

They not only interrupt traffic flow but also endanger road users by disrupting the norm of day-to-day life.

One such example of an intersection causing problems for motorists and commuters is the Van Riebeeck Avenue and Stoneridge Drive intersection.

During a recent meeting with Ward 19 councillor Alderman Bill Rundle at the intersection, The News witnessed chaos and lawlessness as motorists went toe to toe, trying to get through as quickly as possible.

According to Rundle, the intersection sits on the boundary of his Edenvale ward.

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Despite this, he has received numerous complaints from concerned community members and motorists who frequent the intersection.

“This intersection has not been working for weeks, and nobody wants to take responsibility.

“It was initially established that the entire intersection was under the jurisdiction of the Johannesburg Roads Agency; however, it was later put under the jurisdiction of the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport,” said Rundle.

He said no one has taken responsibility for the intersection not functioning.

“I am sorry to say, but the councillor for Ward 32 of Johannesburg appears to have wiped his hands of the situation; it’s been reported to him, but I’ve seen no interventions,” said Rundle.

He emphasised that the intersection is not the City of Ekurhuleni’s responsibility.

“This is an extremely high mobility route; it connects Edenvale to Modderfontein and Kempton Park; it’s vital to have the intersection functioning,” said Rundle.

Rundle said that although some motorists follow the rules of the road and treat the non-functioning intersection like a four-way stop, others don’t care.

“The outrage and backlash from the community have been immense; it affects their safety and security.”

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He said the backlog the non-functioning intersection creates makes it a prime area for smash-and-grabs.

With the recent improvement project on Modderfontein Road (the K155), Rundle said several upgrades were made, including widened roadways, upgraded intersections, improved traffic signals, pedestrian facilities, and street lighting.

Despite this, some traffic lights along Modderfontein Road do not work, and motorists often see either official or unofficial points directing traffic.

He said, “Just down the road is where the new cables have been installed to facilitate the new upgrades, and as soon as the cables are installed in the ground, they are stolen.”

Speaking to Gregory Schneemann, chairperson of the Gauteng Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Transport and Logistics, at the unveiling of the K155 on October 8, The News gained further insight into the vandalism affecting traffic lights.

ALSO READ: Gauteng urges communities to help protect traffic signal infrastructure

Although Schneemann couldn’t speak specifically about the traffic lights in Modderfontein, he said vandalism of road infrastructure and traffic lights is a problem across Gauteng.

He said that in some areas of Johannesburg, vandals had cut down and removed all the traffic lights at intersections.
He also highlighted reckless driving.

He said in some instances drivers collide with traffic lights, damaging or destroying them, creating additional costs for the government.

The councillor sent a request for comment to the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and the councillor for Ward 32, Dimakatso Moloisane.

Questions were raised about what caused the traffic lights to stop working, why repairs had not yet begun, when repairs could be expected, and what the most common causes of traffic lights stopping were.

Comment was requested by October 9 at 15:30; at the time of going to print, no comment had been received.