City repairs all traffic lights damaged during violent protest action
The City of Cape Town is committed to delivering the highest possible level of services to all residents.
As part of our efforts to build a Well-run City, we strive to repair or replace damaged infrastructure as quickly as humanly possible to avoid unnecessarily inconveniencing the public.
To this end, the City of Cape Town's Transport Department has recently finished repairing and replacing all of the traffic lights at the 14 intersections that were damaged during the latest violent protests.
The Borcherd's Quarry/Klipfontein Road intersection required partial repairs, while the following intersections had to be fully rebuilt:
- Lansdowne Road/Duinefontein Road
- Lansdowne Road/NY72
- Lansdowne Road/NY78
- Lansdowne Road pedestrian intersection (two sites)
- Lansdowne Road, near Emms Drive (two sites)
- Eisleben Road/Sheffield Road
- Lavis Drive/35th Avenue
- Modderdam Road/35th Avenue
- Strandfontein Road/5th Avenue
- Lansdowne Road/Duinefontein Road
- Weltevreden Road/Old Lansdowne Road
The traffic lights at the Lansdowne Road/Duinefontein Road intersection had to be replaced twice after they were vandalised again on the eve of the day they were due to be reactivated.
This work was carried out at a total cost of R2,9 million including VAT.
In addition, the road surface in some areas had to be repaired due to damage as a result of tyres being burned.
It is deeply regrettable that we have had to spend this money fixing existing infrastructure, which was destroyed by the criminal actions of a minority. This money could have been used to provide additional services to communities that need them most.
While the City respects the rights of residents to protest, we will not tolerate the destruction of municipal or private property by criminal elements.
The destruction of traffic lights is a costly exercise that also exposes motorists and other roads users to avoidable hazards that can result in road fatalities.
City staff and contractors worked around the clock to ensure that the repairs were completed as quickly as possible, including working on weekends and after hours.
We urge all law-abiding citizens to assist us to safeguard the City's infrastructure by taking ownership of the services in their areas and assisting law enforcement agencies with gathering evidence against those orchestrating these criminal acts.
Statement issued by Patricia de Lille, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, October 9 2012
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