Rigid streets leave little room for adaptability or streamlining.

Once the task of snaking through the congested Hendrik Potgieter Road detour is complete, the final obstacle is the traffic lights on Johan Road at the corners of Sterretjie Street and Shearwater Road. Motorists have noted that the timing of the traffic lights are incompatible with the volume of traffic being diverted through the residential roads. Along with the traffic lights, the biggest complaint remains the large trucks squeezing through the detour.

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The hole on Hendrik Potgiter Road as of January 12. Photo: Jarryd Westerdale.

Among others, Willowbrook resident Ray Williams spent his time in the traffic scrutinising the wait time.

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“On Saturday we stood in traffic for several minutes in Sterretjie Road and started to time the traffic lights. Green was available for 23 seconds before it changed to red. It was on red for 1 minute 7 seconds,” stated Williams. On Shearwater Road, the wait time has been noted as being much shorter with some residents claiming it to be green for a short as 10 seconds.

A bus coming up Van Staden Road from Sterretjie Street. Photo: Jarryd Westerdale.

Johannesburg Roads Agency Spokesperson, Bertha Peters-Scheepers, relaying information given by their Traffic Engineering Department, stated, “We are investigating the possibility of changing the timing, however we require the new year traffic patterns to stabilise before traffic counts can be undertaken. These will determine whether there is a need for revised traffic signal timings at the intersection.”

A large truck navigating Shearwater Road. Photo: Jarryd Westerdale.

Williams also suggested a temporary three-way stop at the corner of Shearwater Road and Van Staden Road as commuters are having trouble crossing or merging.

“Multi-way stops can only be supported if they meet certain legal warrant criteria. Traffic counts will be undertaken to determine if the warrants are met. Please note that STOP signs cannot be used as a traffic calming measure,” explained Peters-Scheepers.

When approaching said intersection, a makeshift off-road path is being cut by motorists taking a short cur between Van Staden Road and Van Dalen Road South. Peters-Scheepers warned that such off-road routes were not sanctioned by JRA, saying, ” Utilising dirt roads as a temporary traffic diversion is not ideal, most especially from a safety perspective as speeding, dust and visibility, no lighting and also the condition of the dirt road diversion during rainy weather becomes difficult to manage.”

The corner of Van Staden Road and Shearwater Road. Photo: Jarryd Westerdale.

Another suggestion posed to JRA was the possibility of making Shearwater Road and Sterretjie Street temporary one-way streets, as this may alleviate delays caused by giving way to large oncoming vehicles. “The implementation of temporary one-way traffic can only be considered if it is supported from every property owner directly affected by the proposed change in traffic flow,” advised Peters-Scheepers.

Vehicles of all sizes navigating Van Staden Road. Photo: Jarryd Westerdale.

The large trucks have been the biggest concern and residents may be pleased that their cries have been heard. “The province will be implementing weight restrictions along those roads soon that will restrict vehicles over five tons from using residential streets. This should have a positive impact,” concluded Peters-Scheepers.

As of January 18, Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport announced they had appointed several service providers marking the first forwards steps on the road to restoration.