Non-functioning M39 Allandale Road traffic lights raise road safety concerns.
The M39 Allandale Road, stretching from Midrand to Kempton Park, shows no sign of repairs to broken traffic lights. Ward 132 councillor Annette Deppe has slammed the department for “no accountability and ignorance.”
Motorists using the M39 Allandale Road face growing safety risks due to a fallen, non-functioning traffic light and others flashing continuously on the provincial section of the road.
The situation has sparked serious safety concerns. Ward 132 councillor Annette Deppe warned that the faulty infrastructure poses a risk of accidents involving motorists and pedestrians.
Read more: No plans to upgrade State Road in President Park
“We have had robots here since the Allandale Road upgrade in 2023. Within the first year of the upgrade, these robots were knocked down three times.
The last time they were knocked down was a year ago, and the infrastructure is still lying on the ground this year. This has left the road with no robots, while some have been flashing for over a year.”
According to Deppe, the faulty traffic lights have worsened congestion and increased the risk of accidents, particularly during peak hours.
She said she has reported the issue to traffic signals and the provincial government, but was told that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) with the Johannesburg Roads Agency have not yet been signed.
Deppe stressed that traffic infrastructure is critical for maintaining road safety and ensuring smooth traffic flow, especially on busy routes such as Allandale Road.
Also read: No plans to upgrade State Road in President Park
She urged drivers to respect road infrastructure and avoid damaging traffic lights, as they are essential for keeping motorists and pedestrians safe.
She further explained that because the traffic lights fall under provincial jurisdiction, responsibility for repairs lies with the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport, not the City of Johannesburg.
The Midrand Reporter contacted the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport about the fallen traffic light on July 1. An update will be provided once the department responds.
A follow-up was made to the department’s head of communications, Melitah Madiba, on July 13.
She said she was on leave and would respond when she returned to work.
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