Ward 17 requests for rumble strips on new road

Diana Nherera Suburban Reporter

Residents of Ward 17 have requested the building of rumble strips and the rebuilding of the island that was at the intersection of Nemakonde Way and West Road to curb speeding drivers.

The request follows an increase in the number of accidents occurring at the intersection as some drivers are speeding following the rehabilitation of Nemakonde Way.

The residents also requested for traffic lights and rumble strips on the junction of Golden Stairs Road and The Chase.

“Of particular concern is West Road and Lomagundi (now Nemakonde) intersection where islands were removed and now it is a deadly peril trying to turn into Lomagundi off West Road.

“The problem becomes real in two weeks’ time when schools open,” said a resident. The resident said the Golden Stairs and The Chase junction needs traffic lights pointing out that so far four fatal accidents have been reported.

“The new Golden Stairs Road where there have been four fatalities due to speeding and traffic lights removed from The Chase and Golden Stairs Road which is a major intersection for school children going and coming from Gateway (High School).

“The traffic lights need to be re-installed and traffic lights put at West and Lomagundi and the island rebuilt as all sorts of vehicles are overtaking in the centre turning lane to go straight.

“Rumble strips need to be done at regular intervals for vehicles to slow down,” he said.

Contacted for comment on the matter, Ward 17 councillor Happymore Gotora said he had also made the proposal for rumble strips.

“I am actually the one who proposed rumble strips to be put because the road is now very nice and motorists are having excitement because of the new road so there is need to put something like rumble strips so that they cannot speed. As much as the road is now very nice it’s not a reason for anyone to be excited and speed and not observe speed limits. There are speed limits on Lomagundi which state that you must not exceed 60 kilometres per hour. They (drivers) are supposed to abide by that speed limit,” said Cllr Gotora.

City of Harare roads superintendent Mr Nelson Sahondo said the proposals will be forwarded to contractors working on the road.

“It seems the contractors are still on final touches. The requests are suggestions to be forwarded to the relevant engineers,” said Mr Sahondo.

Cllr Gotora said power outages were a major challenge in having traffic lights working.

“We are expecting all traffic lights to be working but the problem that we are facing is power outages. If you go for example at corner King George and Lomagundi, the traffic light is working. If you go there around 10pm, you will find them working but when the power goes out (during the day), they also go off. So maybe what we need to do is migrate from Zesa-powered and try and use solar energy,” he said.

Cllr Gotora said the traffic light at the intersection of Sam Nujoma Street and Churchill Avenue is always working because there is an alternative power source.

“We were offered a generator by the owners of the service station at corner Sam Nujoma Street and Churchill when there is no electricity. That is the reason why it is always on so there is need to look for alternative sources of power for all traffic lights so that they keep on working even when there is no electricity.”