Flashing lights to indicate the closure of the low-level bridge in Third Avenue Avenue, Newton Park during flooding was launched today.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security, Cllr John Best, said the lights – that will be operated remotely from the South End Fire Station control room – will ultimately lessen inconvenience to motorists as the road can be reopened quicker and improve road safety.
“The boom gates erected by the Infrastructure and Engineering Department in 2010 are not effective. Some motorists cut the locks, remove the barricade and drive through at immense personal risk to themselves which renders this system ineffective.
“Officials from our Disaster Management and Information Technology departments came up with a solution that we believe will work. As soon as the water level at the low-level bridge is deemed dangerous, red lights will be switched on remotely to inform motorists that they cannot use the road safely any longer.
“If these signs are disregarded, offenders will be prosecuted. A fine of R1 500 can be issued when traffic signs are ignored.
“However we will keep the boom gates in place for now until we are confident that the electronic system is perfectly safe.
“Lights will also be erected in the William Moffett Expressway to inform motorists when the low-level bridge is closed. The road can also be opened with much less effort when water levels subsided enough to allow traffic to pass through again,” said MMC Best.
In cases of emergency, please call 041 585 1555 for access to the Metro Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Traffic Law Enforcement.
NMB Communications
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