The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and the Sandton Central Management District are leading a new initiative that will see traffic lights at major intersections in Sandton Central operate throughout loadshedding utilising generator power sourced from adjacent building owners.

The first property owner participating in the Traffic Signal Secondary Power Initiative is Investec. Investec’s generator resources will power the intersections at Grayston Drive and Rivonia Road, and Grayston Drive and West Road South. Roadworks to connect these two busy intersections are already underway. 

The Traffic Signal Secondary Power Initiative entails a redesign of the signal wiring to allow for a secondary power connection to the nearest adjacent property, which will be undertaken by the JRA. Participating property owners then facilitate the necessary connection to their own backup power system, whether solar, generator or UPS, so that traffic lights can function when loadshedding kicks in. 

Says Elaine Jack, District Improvement Manager of Sandton Central Management District, “Our work on this project will give some much-needed relief to motorists and ensure Sandton’s roads are safer for everyone. The initiative is a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when key stakeholders join forces to tackle the city’s most pressing issues, and we feel privileged that our contribution will make a positive difference for Sandton’s road users.” 

Acting CEO of Johannesburg Roads Agency, Louis Nel, says, “We are delighted to partner with Investec in keeping the traffic signals on at one of Sandton’s busiest intersections during loadshedding. The JRA continues to find innovative ways to ensure we deliver on our promise to provide Smart Mobility and safer roads to the residents of Johannesburg.”

The Johannesburg Road Agency Board Chairperson Charles Cilliers agrees, “We are encouraged by the number of businesses who are joining hands with the JRA to improve the City’s traffic mobility during loadshedding. I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to Investec as one of the first corporate citizens to share their resources with all City of Joburg road users to ensure better safety and uninterrupted traffic flow on Grayston and Rivonia.”

Investec Group Chief Operating Officer, Stuart Spencer, notes, “Investec is constantly striving to have a lasting positive impact on the communities where we operate. We are therefore very pleased to participate in the Traffic Signal Secondary Power Initiative. Going forward, during loadshedding, Investec’s generators will power two critical intersections in Sandton, ensuring continuous operation of the traffic lights and alleviating congestion. We are proud to be the first property owner in Sandton Central to participate in this initiative and hope many others will get involved.”

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