A year later, traffic lights still not operational

When traffic lights were installed at the intersections of Olifantsfontein and Plantation Road, and R55 and African View Road, Blue Hills and Noordwyk residents were ecstatic.

But since the installation by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport in February last year, the traffic lights have never worked.

The robots were installed after a petition was submitted by the Sector 3 Crime Forum and residents four years ago due to the high number of accidents at the intersections.
Forum chairperson Marvin MaphiriMaphiri said the department’s sub-committee that deals with roads and transport had visited the intersections on January 20. “Their [department] initial deadline to switch them on was before March last year but they did not. And when we made a follow-up, they said before the end of 2022 but again failed to fulfil their promise. At the end of the day, our community suffers and the motorists who use those intersections. This makes us, as the sector, look bad with a number of fatalities [at the intersections],” said Maphiri.

When Midrand Reporter contacted Johannesburg Roads Agency to ask if they were aware of the non-electrified robots, spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers said, “As these intersections belong to the province, please try getting a comment from them.”
At the time of going to print, the Department of Roads and Transport spokesperson Lesiba Mpya had not responded to questions sent by Midrand Reporter on February 3, 6, 7 and 9 despite acknowledging our query.
Ward 112 councillor Lerato Mphefo also had not responded to our query sent on February 8, 9 and 12.

Related article: 

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/206121/accidents-continue-of-r55-and-african-view-drive/