By Staff Writer 
The Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has appointed Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to undertake the installation and maintenance of traffic control equipment along provincial roads within the City of Johannesburg. 
The agreement will be valid for a period of the year with an option for extension. In terms of the agreement, JRA will be required to undertake the installation and maintenance of traffic lights as determined by the Department. 
The agreement includes JRA undertaking to:
Installing and maintaining traffic control equipment, including: 
Conducting repairs to traffic lights;
Conducting repairs to signal gantries; 
Installing and maintaining underground and overhead cabling; 
Installing electronic communication equipment for ITS or remote monitoring systems;
Provide back-up power during periods of outages; 
Instal equipment for any ITS. 
Referring to the agreement, Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela indicated this was a critical step in the restoration of traffic light services to improve safety and facilitate mobility in and around the city. "As part of the agreement, the roads agency will be tasked with, amongst others, pole painting; reflector cleaning and globe replacement; repairs to traffic lights and related equipment; repairs to cabling; repairs to signal heads and poles as well as fuse replacement". 
Priority roads will include but not limited to: Winnie Mandela Drive, Beyers Naudé Drive, Allandale Road, Malibongwe Drive, Grayston Drive, Witkoppen Road, Golden Highway, Kliprivier Drive, Hendrik Potgieter Drive, Ontdekkers Road, Heidelberg Road, Soweto Highway, and Chris Hani Roads.
The Department views agreement as a part of a comprehensive plan – "Adopt and Protect A Robot campaign" - a public-private partnership between the provincial government, private sector and local communities seeking to protect traffic signals and streetlights from vandalism, cable theft and criminality. 
At the launch of the campaign in November 2024, MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela appealed to residents to safeguard road infrastructure and immediately report any acts of vandalism or theft of traffic signals to police for immediate action. 
In 2023 alone, the Department spent over R30 million, with approximately half of the 400 signalised traffic intersections having been vandalised and cables stolen. The fight against the scourge can only be curbed through active citizenry and community involvement, policing and public awareness. 
The Department has, in some areas, turned signalized intersections into four-way stops in a bid to improve safety. This agreement will go a long way in assisting with traffic management to aid mobility, improve safety and reduce congestion throughout the City.