In South Africa we do not only have to deal with several reckless drivers, but also the consequences of criminality next to the roads! A visitor to the Arrive Alive website recently enquired about street lighting not working along a stretch of the national road and we were provided with an update on this from the National Roads Agency.
Subject: Highway lights working on N3 between Geldenhuys and Gillooly’s
Question: I used this section of highway last night again and there is still no change to the lighting situation.
Answer:
Please note that at this stage we have a generator at London road interchange due to the fact that City Power’s Bulk Metering Kiosk can not supply power.
The following is the status of the lighting on the N3:
N3 Section 12
N3- 12: Geldenhuy’s Interchange
i) cables were stolen/vandalized
ii) Rings on 30m masts was stripped
iii) Mini-sub vandalized
On the 19-08-2013 50% of Geldenhuys Interchange was reinstated with the other 50% in progress to be completed within the month of September 2013.
N3-12: Link between Geldenhuys and Van Buuren
i) On 11-03-2013 the feeder/HT cable to mini-sub was stolen. The Mini-sub was vandalized. A temporary connection was done in order to get lights on. As soon the installation was energised it was discovered that the cables on the centre median was stolen
HT cable has been reinstated 29-08-2013.
Work to be completed:
i) Installation of centre median cables between Geldenhuys and Van Buuren as from 04-09-2013.
N3-12: Link between van Buuren and Gyllooly’s.
i) On the 07-06-2013 lights within this section was reinstated whereby most of the luminaires found having the ballast faulty, the investigation with respect to warranty has been implemented. Ordering of the ballast and lamps is in progress.
ii) On the 20-08-2013 a problem was experience by the Mini-sub and was replaced by a temporary 630kVA mini-substation. On the 22-08-2013 mini-sub went in for repair.
Plan:
Dedicated teams will be located in this area to speed up the installation of the centre median cables and get lights back within the month of September.
As of 4 Sept 2013, two teams are dedicated to this section for repairs.
Regards
Priya
NRA
We would like to encourage road users to be vigilant and to report these criminals!!