Gauteng urges communities to help protect traffic signal infrastructure
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has intensified efforts to repair and upgrade traffic signals while calling on road users to report theft and vandalism.
Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has urged communities and road users to help protect critical road infrastructure from theft and vandalism.
The call comes as the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport intensifies the repair, restoration, maintenance and upgrading of traffic signals at priority intersections across the provincial road network.
The department appointed contractors last month, with restoration work already under way at several priority intersections.
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Diale-Tlabela said the theft and vandalism of public infrastructure places an unnecessary financial burden on the provincial government through costly repairs and restoration work.
“As the department undertakes this restoration programme, we are calling on all road users, communities, motorists, bikers, cyclists, pedestrians and runners to stand with us in protecting these critical assets. If you see or witness suspicious activity, theft or vandalism, kindly report it to the authorities for immediate action,” she said in a statement on Thursday, August 20.
The programme will run for 36 months and will focus on restoring vandalised infrastructure, modernising existing traffic signals and strengthening the protection and management of these critical assets.
Contractors have already started restoration work at multiple priority intersections, with further interventions planned along key development corridors and strategic routes.
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The programme also aims to modernise the province’s traffic signal infrastructure through the use of the latest technology, while addressing persistent challenges such as cable theft, infrastructure vandalism, illegal connections and damage caused by vehicle collisions.
Diale-Tlabela said criminal activity targeting road infrastructure directly affects communities and commuters.
“These criminal acts affect every commuter, every motorist and every community that depends on safe and reliable roads and public transport systems,” she said.
The programme will focus on five key areas: Installing new traffic signals at intersections where infrastructure has been completely vandalised; establishing and operationalising the Provincial Transport Management Centre; upgrading existing traffic signals; retrofitting existing assets with modern technology and enhanced security measures; and maintaining and repairing existing traffic signal infrastructure.
