Metro spends R120m to repair traffic lights

The City of Ekurhuleni has announced that it has spent up to R120m to repair traffic lights that were damaged in the previous financial year which ended in June 2022.

According to the metro, the traffic signals in question were repaired after being damaged either as a result of cable theft, vandalism or motor vehicle accidents.
The city said it is concerned about the high costs of replacing traffic lights, which are mainly damaged through avoidable human actions.

Members of the public are urged to act as eyes and ears of the metro by reporting unscrupulous people who target the public infrastructure meant to deliver services to communities.
Metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the city has decided that in some incidents, damaged traffic lights will be replaced with stop signs due to the limited funds.

“Although the installation of the stop signs is a temporary measure, some intersections may have the stop signs permanently. The permanent installation of stop signs will follow a process to di-warrant the traffic signal as per the South African Road Traffic Signs Manual (SARSM) which guides all decisions on traffic signals in the city,” explained Dlamini.

Dlamini promised that the city will continue to strive to meet the 24-hour turnaround time for attending to faulty or damaged road signals – to ensure smooth and safe movement of motorists.
Whilst the city conducts the required routine inspection and maintenance of its traffic signals, residents are encouraged to also inform the city if they spot a damaged or dysfunctional traffic light by calling the call centre on 086 054 3000.

According to the metro, Ekurhuleni boasts 1 350 traffic lights. Of this total, about 1 127 are maintained by the municipality, while the remainder are maintained by the Gauteng Provincial Government.
“In the event a traffic light belonging to the province is faulty, the matter is escalated for their intervention,” explained Dlamini.

This publication recently reported that thieves had taken advantage of the traffic lights at the intersection of Rondebult and Pretoria roads just days after the stretch of Rondebult Road was closed due to a massive sinkhole that opened up in the area.
Gathered information suggested that the traffic signals had been vandalised by criminals who uprooted or cut off the traffic lights to access the copper cables inside the poles.

Also Read: Traffic lights targeted by cable thieves