There’s been a bit of activity along Winnie Mandela Drive, with workers digging and equipment spread across the roadside.
If you’ve been wondering why, especially since the traffic lights are still operating, it’s because the busy intersection is undergoing a full revamp.
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Technicians are currently upgrading the intersection linking Winnie Mandela Drive, Sunrise Boulevard, and Fourways Boulevard, replacing ageing infrastructure in a bid to bring long-term stability to an area known for frequent traffic light failures.
Joseph Rasimati, a technician from Diepsloot working with Green Enviro (trading as Zer015 Traffic), says the project involves a complete overhaul of the intersection. “We’re changing the poles, all the cables, and all the lights into something new because this intersection always has issues. The goal is to make the road better and reduce traffic, which means people get to work on time and things run more smoothly.”
Ward 94 councillor David Foley welcomed the upgrades, saying residents and motorists have long been frustrated by intermittent outages at the junction.
“I’m very happy that this intersection is being revamped. We’ve had ongoing problems where the traffic lights just stop working. By replacing the controllers, cables, and poles, we’re ensuring everything is in good working order. Weather impacts old cables, and that’s often what causes faults.”
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He added that the intersection is busy at almost any time of day, and when signals fail, delays quickly build up.
“Motorists get frustrated. They arrive late for work, which affects everyone. This upgrade will help alleviate that.”
The project is expected to be completed soon. Once finished, Foley says residents can look forward to a far more reliable intersection and smoother traffic flow in one of the area’s busiest corridors, especially with the big, inaugural LIV Golf South Africa tournament coming at The Club at Steyn City, scheduled to take place from March 19 to 22.
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