Traffic calming measures for ‘nightmare’ east intersection
After years of residents complaining of traffic congestion a traffic light was finally installed at the intersection.
Traffic calming measures have finally been installed at a “nightmare” intersection east of Pretoria.
The intersection of Atterbury Road and De Villebois Mareuil Drive was found to be dangerous by Tshwane officials three years ago. The intersection has been the scene of numerous near accidents due to speeding and poor visibility.
After years of residents complaining of traffic congestion, traffic lights were finally installed.
In 2014, residents drew up a petition calling for the installation of traffic lights at the intersection of Atterbury Road and De Villebois Mareuil Drive, which were among roads that carried massive traffic volumes.
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Ward councillor Mike Strange said traffic volumes at this intersection have increased through the years with residential developments in Zwavelpoort, Olympus, Boardwalk, Mooikloof, The Wilds and most recently The Hills.
“Schools and business parks add to peak time congestion,” he said.
“Four-way stops work reasonably well when there are low-volume single lanes approaching an intersection, but get hectic and confusing when there are multiple lanes and high-volumes,” said Strange.
Strange said there were plans and a budget in the previous term (2011-2016) to install traffic lights, but the budget was “reallocated” elsewhere, causing delays.
He said the city has also been waiting for the provincial government, which owned part of the road, to complete planned upgrades on Atterbury Road before commencing with improvements to De Villebois Mureuil Drive and Olympus Drive, including traffic signals at the intersection.
“Tshwane deployed Outsurance pointsmen at this intersection during peak times to improve traffic flow. Pointsmen, mostly, read dynamic traffic flow conditions far better than pre-programmed traffic lights and are able to adjust accordingly,” Strange said.
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Traffic congestion in the new eastern suburbs has remained a concern and irritation for motorists.
“But road infrastructure, unfortunately, almost always lags behind residential development.
“City, provincial and national roads departments have pretty good plans of what roads are needed, but lack of funding and commitment hamper these plans.”
Strange said the installation of the traffic lights was a step in the right direction, but a lot still needed to be done with regards to remedying traffic congestion.
Other roads that were found to be in need of traffic calming measures included Garsfontein Road and Fisant Street.
The upgrades did not go without any challenges when the area sometimes went without power and delayed the phase and timing programming of the lights.
The paving of the sidewalks was in progress.
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