FOLLOW-UP:Snake Road robots to be replaced
The provincial department has now decided that some traffic lights will be replaced.
The major traffic lights on Snake Road will be replaced.
On November 17, the Benoni City Times reported that a statement released on behalf of the Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport, Kedibone Diale Tlabela, said that after an inspection of the stolen and vandalised infrastructure along the 4km stretch of road, that the department will not repair or replace the traffic lights.
The report read: “Because of its remoteness and constant vandalism, these intersections might require the department to temporarily decommission the current traffic control measures and opt for stop junctions.”
The affected intersections include Heron and Tom Jones streets, Dewald Hattingh, Main Reef and New Modder roads, as well as Pioneer and Golden drives, which, according to the residents of Mackenzie Park, were vandalised and stolen between March and April.
However, on November 14, Ward 73 Clr Sipho Ngobese posted on the Mackenzie Park WhatsApp group that a decision had been taken to replace the traffic lights at the major intersections on Snake Road.
Ekurhuleni metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini confirmed the information is correct and factual. However, the Department of Roads and Transport has not responded to the media enquiry yet.
“We have not yet been informed which traffic lights will be repaired,” said Dlamini.
“Different conditions will determine where lights may be replaced with stop signs. Theft and vandalism will be a determining factor.”
He said that streetlight repairs would also be undertaken.
Speaking about protecting infrastructure, he said the EMPD and private security companies have played an active role in locating vandals and preventing further theft.
“Unfortunately, continuous load-shedding has contributed to the prevalence of damage to infrastructure,” he said.
At the time of publication, it was not yet clear when they would replace the traffic lights.
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