Roadworks in Hospital Street
Motorists say they are fed up with the roadworks being done in Hospital Street, because it causes traffic congestion especially during peak hours.
POLOKWANE – Motorists say they are fed up with the roadworks being done in Hospital Street, because it causes traffic congestion especially during peak hours.
Because of the roadworks, Hospital Street is currently a one-way street.
The roadworks start at the corner of Hospital and Landdros Marê Street and end at the corner of Hospital and Dorp Street.
Motorists must use a detour to get to their destinations.
Motorists travelling in Hospital Street cannot turn into Hans van Rensburg Street, because the road usage has been limited to residents only.
At the corner of Landdros Maré and Hospital Street there is a delay in the flow of traffic causing traffic congestion at the corner of Market and Hospital Street.
Motorists suggested that the municipality deployed traffic officers to control the traffic during peak hours at the affected intersections to help with the flow of traffic until the roadworks were done.
However, municipal spokesperson, Tidimalo Chuene, said there was no need for traffic officers to be deployed to the affected points.
“The traffic section has ensured proper road signs are put up to guide and direct road users in all roadworks in the city. Road users are therefore requested to cooperate and follow the road signs put along all affected streets and to use alternative routes where necessary,” Chuene said.
She added that the contractors also had people with red flags to assist in directing road users.
Chuene said the construction along Hospital Street was an important aspect of infrastructure development towards operation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service in a few years to come.
“Hospital Street is one of the streets developed as part of the first phase upgrading of a multi-year project for the Integrated Rapid Public Transport System (IRPTS) infrastructure network. The contract for this particular upgrading started in October and is expected to be completed by June 30,” Chuene explained.
Motorists were also unhappy with the traffic light at the corner of Nelson Mandela Drive and Vermikuliet Street.
“The three-phase traffic light only shows the arrow for eight seconds, I know because I travel this route everyday to work and home, and I timed the traffic light.
“Only two vehicles can drive out of Nelson Mandela Drive into Vermikuliet Street when the arrow is green for vehicles to turn. This causes traffic to queue up, because trucks also use this route, ” a motorist said.
He said it took a truck 12 seconds to turn and the traffic light stays green for only eight seconds for vehicles that must turn at this intersection. Motorists suggested that the arrow be on longer to ensure a flow of traffic in Nelson Mandela Drive or a traffic officer be deployed to control traffic during peak times.
Chuene said: “Energy services are looking at urgently rectifying the malfunctioning of traffic lights on Nelson Mandela Drive into Vermikuliet Street.”
