REHABILITATION OF TAMALE TRAFFIC LIGHTS BEGINS (PAGE 29)

REHABILITATION work has commenced on the dysfunctional traffic lights in the Tamale metropolis.
So far, all the old ones have been removed to be replaced with new and more efficient ones. The poles have also been repainted to give them a fresh look.
The signals head at Agric Junction traffic lights, for instance, has already been replaced and is functioning.
According to the Tamale Metropolitan Roads Engineer, Mr William Donkor, work on the entire project that is being executed by Signals and Controllers, an engineering company from Accra, would be completed in two months.
He said they were currently working on the underground cables and replacing some of the change controllers that had been out of commission for several months now.
The engineer said with increasing vehicular traffic in the metropolis, new systems would be created at some intersections such as the Workers Canteen and Jisonayili junctions.
This when done, would help minimise accidents at those junctions that are some of the flash points in the metropolis, all to ensure the safety of both motorists and pedestrians.
He mentioned that the rehabilitation works were being carried out at great cost and therefore entreated residents not to tamper with the systems.
“I will like to appeal to all and sundry to help ensure the cost-effectiveness of this investment by protecting them against people who might try to damage the facilities”, he said.
Mr Donkor also admonished the people to immediately report any driver who might hit any of the traffic lights with his vehicle and report to the police or the assembly, noting the registration numbers of the vehicles.
He reminded the public that the cost of damage to the signal poles of the traffic lights would be passed on to the one causing such damage.
The intermittent breakdown of traffic lights in the metropolis has been a source of worry to many residents and motorists alike.
At the moment, traffic lights at the Central Mosque, Stanchart and Barclays Bank intersections have been out of order for many months with the resultant confusion and accidents, particularly at peak hours in the mornings and evenings.
Traffic lights currently functioning break down intermittently. When that happens, the community protection unit and the police have to move in swiftly for sanity to prevail.