By Seleoe Nonyane
The completion of a M15-million project to rehabilitate and install new traffic lights in the city of Maseru and its outskirts has been delayed.
The giant project, funded by the Road Fund, was delayed by heavy rains as works were forced to cease during the recent downpours.
Its implementation commenced in 0ctober 2021 and was set for completion by end of February 2022. It is now expected to be completed on March 10.
The Road Directorate had targeted to work on 24 road intersections. But works on other intersections are yet to be complete.
The date for full completion was extended due to the delays caused by the recent heavy rains.
“Due to the heavy rains experienced at the beginning of the year, the project was extended for two weeks. Revised completion date is now on March 10 2022.
“Of the 24 intersections, installation work only remains on one which is at Ha Mots’oeneng in Lithabaneng. The lights at other six intersections are not operational due to absence of power supply,” the Roads Directorate public relations manager Nozesolo Matela said.
Matela said the directorate was holding talks with the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) to ensure power supply to the intersections at which traffic lights have been repaired or installed.
The on-going works also include reinstatements of pedestrian pavements and road resurfacing. Also, road marking on all intersections where traffic lights are operational was being undertaken.
A motorist, Ts’epo Mojapela has welcome the development saying it will enable smooth flow of traffic and avert traffic congestion.
According to Matela, the outdated system as well as the increase of vehicular and pedestrian traffic on Maseru roads prompted the need for an efficient traffic lights system to improve mobility, ease congestion and enhance road safety at intersections around the city.
The project involved improvement and rehabilitation of existing traffic lights and installation of new ones at seven intersections. Through this project existing traffic lights will be incorporated into the new traffic signal management system.
She added that modernized software and hardware systems are needed to improve the traffic flow in the city.
