Construction of the much anticipated and somewhat controversial Church Square robots, has begun.
Construction of the much anticipated and somewhat controversial Church Square robots, has begun.
The robots will be positioned at the Hill and High Streets intersection, where many pedestrians don’t stop for motorists and motorists do not seem to know how the busy four-way stop works.
Howard Mareverwa of Port Elizabeth based Cape Courts and Civics, the supervisor of the traffic signals project, said they hope to have the lights up within five weeks.
Senior Superintendent at the Makana Traffic Department, Pierre Kapp warned motorists using the intersection to drive with caution, as lanes would be affected throughout the process.
He said motorists should bear in mind that there is construction taking place at the Hill/High intersections and there will be time delays.
Kapp said motorists should consider driving other routes to avoid the intersection.He said that once the new traffic lights are operational, traffic officers will be on hand to educate motorists and pedestrians about the new robots.
There will be altogether 15 robots stands throughout the intersections, stretching from the Albany Jewellers side of Hill Street, to AN White side of Hill Street.
A section of the angled parking outside AN White will be removed to make space for one of the robots. The section of High Street outside Truworths will change from three lanes to two lanes.
Mareverwa said they are currently digging trenches, putting in sleeves and building manholes before the robots can be erected.
The electrical side of the robots will be connected by Synchronised Traffic Systems from Port Elizabeth.
