Blue Hills traffic lights a concern to councillor and motorists

Two sets of traffic lights that were installed two years ago in Blue Hills have yet to be switched on.
The traffic lights were installed by the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport at the intersections of Olifantsfontein and Plantation roads, and the R55 and African View Road.

The installation of the traffic lights was welcomed by former Sector 3 Crime Forum chairperson Marvin Maphiri and Blue Hills residents. In the article Robots to save lives [Week ending 8 April 2022], Maphiri said the installation of the traffic lights would reduce accidents and save lives.
The Midrand Reporter and Ward 112 councillor Lerato Mphefo visited the Olifantsfontein/Plantation intersection on February 26 this year.

From the R55 driving towards Blue Hills, the two-lane road has been turned into three lanes, with motorists scrambling for lanes to make their way to their different destinations.

Mphefo said there have been several car accidents at that intersection and she had been inundated with calls from residents regarding the issue. “After complaining about the issue several times, the residents want to know if somebody has to die before Gauteng province takes them seriously about the traffic lights. Why are they not being powered? Two years later, this is insane. We have sent a string of emails to the department, and we have sent more than 10 emails to the department regarding various traffic lights around Midrand,” said Mphefo.
She added there had also been many accidents at the R55/African View Drive intersection. “These non-functional traffic lights are observed or treated like a stop sign, causing major traffic in the mornings and afternoons peak hours.”

The department was contacted for comment on February 21 and 26 but had not responded at the time of going to print.

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Accidents continue on R55 and African View Drive