JRA upgrades traffic signals at dangerous intersection in Sandton
SANDTON - The traffic lights at the intersection of William Nicol and Sandton drives have been reconfigured by the Johannesburg Roads Agency.
Ward 102 councillor David Potter said this was a commitment from the roads agency after numerous concerns from motorists and the community surfaced about the number of accidents which occured at that intersection.
Potter and Ward 90 councillor, Anthony Still, requested that the roads agency investigate possible changes to the traffic signal configuration at the intersection.
“The roads agency was swift to respond to a request to meet on-site for the community, councillors and them to better understand the complexities at the intersection,” explained Potter.
“What was immediately [obvious] was the conflict of vehicles exiting Sandton and turning right onto William Nicol Drive, and at the same time, vehicles leaving Hurlingham along St Andrews Road, and exiting straight across William Nicol Drive and onto Sandton Drive.”
Bertha Peters-Scheepers, spokesperson for the roads agency said the adjustments would eliminate the conflict between these two movements and make the intersection much safer.
“At the intersection of William Nicol and Sandton drives, traffic driving westbound – including right-turning vehicles – will have the green light, while vehicles from Hurlingham along St Andrews Drive are stopped,” explained Peters-Scheepers.
“Similarly, traffic from Hurlingham along St Andrews Drive will have the green light, while vehicles from Sandton Drive are stopped.”
Traffic exiting Sandton, turning right onto William Nicol Drive, will no longer have to compete with vehicles exiting Hurlingham along St Andrews Drive which are travelling straight across William Nicol Drive onto Sandton Drive. The two traffic points now have their own turning signal to move through the intersection.
Potter added, “The same major change was implemented at the intersection of William Nicol Drive and Republic Road some three years ago after a large and regular [number] of vehicle accidents took place. Since the changes were made there, very few accidents have been reported.”
He also said additional tweaking of signal timing at the William Nicol and Sandton drives intersection may be required to get to the ultimate solution where enough time was given for all directions of traffic to flow through the intersection.
“Motorists are requested to remain patient and understanding, the changes are for the benefit of all road users and in the interest of safer roads,” said Potter.
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