Authorities to hand over traffic lights responsibilities to local shopping centres
The traffic lights have had multiple issues and shopping centres see fit to provide uninterrupted power to them.
A public-private partnership between Fourways businesses, JRA and the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport could soon be the light at the end of the traffic tunnel for motorists.
Ward 94 councillor David Foley set up a meeting on February 23 with the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport (GDPRT), Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and City Power to discuss traffic lights in the area that have been out of order for months. As a unit, they decided that all JRA and GDPRT traffic signals on the N1 to R511 be connected to the various uninterruptible power systems of Fourways Mall, Steyn City and Montecasino.
“The traffic lights are on and off through load-shedding and faults which causes massive delays in the area. I also believe that they are being turned off and vandalised by informal traffic pointsmen who are illegally turning the supply off to collect money while directing traffic. Under the new agreement, the power points will not be accessible anymore so interference will be more controlled,” said Foley.
“The idea is to ensure traffic flows from the N1 down the R511, Cedar Road and Witkoppen all around the shopping centres by having all traffic lights working plus the street lights from a safety perspective. The uninterrupted power supply will be from the shopping centres, casino and Steyn City facilities. All the electricity will be connected to their systems and no longer supplied by Eskom directly,” said Foley.
On March 20, another meeting was held to bring more facilities on board. Pineslopes Shopping Centre, Leaping Frog Shopping Centre, Cedar Square and Design Quarter are also coming on board.
“The meeting held was very successful. The JRA has signed the paperwork and GPDRT is in the process of signing the documents. Can you imagine the ‘greater Fourways’ always on, that would be amazing news,” said Foley.
He said by ensuring there is a permanent electrical supply to all the traffic lights in the area, 90% of the problem is solved.
“I took it one step further to ask Fourways Mall, Montecasino and Steyn City to connect the streetlights in the area to the grid as well. They said they will certainly consider it which is wonderful news.”
However, Tselane Lepoqo of the GPDRT warned community members not to get ahead of themselves regarding the project as the department still needs to sign the agreement which will also be taken to their legal department and the head of department. “Until it is signed, no one is allowed to do anything. The agreement, or memorandum of understanding (MOU) is the one that will permit to work on the power of the traffic lights. It is currently undergoing the process of being signed.” Foley said a project manager will be appointed to run the whole initiative.
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