JRA to finally install traffic lights at a notorious intersection
FERNDALE – It has become increasingly difficult for motorists and residents to cross Grove Street as this intersection was only a one-stop street for motorists using Main Avenue.
The traffic flow at the intersection of Main Avenue and Grove Street in Ferndale is notoriously gridlocked during peak hours.
It has become increasingly difficult for motorists and residents to cross Grove Street as this intersection was only a one-stop street for motorists using Main Avenue.
Motorists who avoid Republic Road and Malibongwe Drive, which are always congested during peak-hour traffic, use this as a back road..
Residents had battled for about three years to convince Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) to install traffic lights at this intersection.
Rudi Botha, who moved into a complex on the corner of this intersection about 10 years ago, said there have been numerous accidents with some of them occurring even on weekends when there is no traffic congestion.
“The biggest problem is that motorists driving in Grove Street down the hill from Bram Fischer’s side, rarely stick to the speed limit or use their indicators correctly. This causes the motorists wanting to cross Grove Street to sometimes have to wait for almost two minutes before it is safe enough to cross Grove Street,” said Botha.
Residents who stay in this section battle to join Main Avenue as traffic does not move at all during the peak hours. “Traffic lights will create a regular flow, which will force motorists driving down Grove Street to stop and allow motorists driving on Main Avenue to safely cross the intersection,” he said.
Ward 102 councillor David Potter said the City’s roads entity has finally agreed to install traffic lights at this intersection after three years of complaints from the residents.
He said the petition was initially submitted to the City on 13 August 2014 and the entity planned to install a new set of traffic signals at the intersection in the coming months.
“The intersection is synonymous with a multitude of accidents occurring weekly due to high traffic volumes that traverse the intersection,” he said.
Potter said it would assist to manage traffic flow through the intersection and reduce the number of accidents.
The entity’s spokesperson Bertha Peters-Scheepers said the entity has approved the installation of traffic signalling to facilitate the flow of traffic and improve public safety.
“Multiple accidents have been reported at the intersection which constituted the warrant for traffic lights. Designs have been completed and installation will be undertaken, once budget becomes available,” she said.
Details: Ward 102 councillor David Potter, david@oursuburb.co.za; Johannesburg Road Agency: 0860 562 874.
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