As the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport’s (GDRT) provincial traffic signals repair and restoration programme gains momentum, MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela has called on communities and road users to help protect critical road infrastructure from theft and vandalism.

The department stated that following the appointment of contractors last month, it has intensified the repair, restoration, maintenance and upgrading of traffic signals at priority intersections across the provincial road network.

According to the department, the programme will be implemented over the next 36 months. It will focus on restoring vandalised infrastructure, modernising existing traffic signals and strengthening the protection and management of these critical assets.

The department said that the contractors have already commenced restoration work at multiple priority intersections, with further interventions scheduled across key development corridors and strategic routes.

“The programme represents a significant and ongoing effort to modernise the province’s traffic signal infrastructure through the deployment of the latest technology, while addressing the persistent challenges of cable theft, infrastructure vandalism, illegal connections and damage caused by vehicle collisions,” shared the roads department.

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The programme encompasses five key areas:

• Installation of new traffic signals at intersections where infrastructure has been completely vandalised.
• Establishment and operationalisation of the Provincial Transport Management Centre (TMC).
• Upgrading of existing traffic signals.
• Retrofitting of existing assets with modern technologies and enhanced security measures.
• Maintenance and repair of existing traffic signal infrastructure.

As the restoration programme gathers pace, Diale-Tlabela has appealed to the public to play an active role in protecting road infrastructure.

“Public infrastructure theft and vandalism place an unnecessary financial burden on the provincial coffers through costly repairs and restoration work.

“As the department undertakes this restoration programme, we are calling on all road users, communities, motorists, bikers, cyclists, pedestrians and runners to stand with us in protecting these critical assets.

“If you see or witness suspicious activity, theft or vandalism, kindly report it to the authorities for immediate action,” said the MEC.

She added that criminal acts targeting road infrastructure directly impact communities and commuters.

“These criminal acts affect every commuter, every motorist and every community that depends on safe and reliable roads and public transport systems,” explained Diale-Tlabela.

The department indicated that the province has more than 4 500 signalised intersections, of which GDRT is responsible for 547.

The department said it will continue to provide regular progress updates to the public as implementation advances.