Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) says vandalism, power outages, and budget constraints are among the main reasons behind ongoing traffic signal failures and delayed infrastructure repairs in Douglasdale.

Responding to concerns raised about the intersection of Hornbill Road and Niven Avenue, JRA head of regional operations Khayalethu Gqibitole confirmed that the intersection was vandalised, and now requires upgrading.

“This is a priority 4 intersection. However, due to budget constraints, priority 2 intersections are currently being addressed first.”

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He added that traffic signal outages across the city are often caused by external challenges. “Major signal challenges faced by JRA are power outages, which affect the functionality of the traffic light, and theft and vandalism of traffic signal infrastructure.”

However, Ward 106 councillor Chris Santana says residents are growing frustrated as they continue to face safety risks while waiting for permanent solutions. During an on-site visit with the Fourways Review on February 3, Santana highlighted ongoing concerns at the Hornbill Road and Niven Avenue intersection, where traffic lights have reportedly been non-functional for over 18 months.

He said incomplete road reinstatement work at the intersection is also posing risks to motorists. Santana noted that four months earlier, he visited the same intersection with officials from JRA and Johannesburg Water (JW), where residents were reportedly promised that repairs would be completed within 30 days. However, months later, the issues remain unresolved.

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Santana explained that residents pay rates and taxes with the expectation that essential infrastructure will function properly. “Safe roads and reliable traffic signals are the foundation of a city that works, and they are non-negotiable.”

He added that the Hornbill and Niven roads intersection is not the only problematic area in Ward 106. According to Santana, traffic signal failures have also been reported along major routes, including Wessels Road and Gary Road.

He also raised concerns about the traffic lights on Leslie Avenue, between Douglasdale Shopping Centre and The Village Shopping Centre, which he says have been non-functional for nearly three years.

Despite JRA’s explanation, Santana maintains that residents deserve quicker and more visible solutions.

“I will continue to escalate unresolved issues, monitor repairs on the ground, and use every available oversight mechanism to ensure Ward 106 receives the level of service delivery its residents deserve. As service delivery is measured on the street, not in spreadsheets.”

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