New city traffic lights to be operational from tomorrow

KIGALI - The newly installed computerised traffic lights along various city junctions are set to be operational by tomorrow. Kigali City Director of Communication and Media, Bruno Rangira, said that the works on the installation of the traffic lights are in the final stages. The installation of the modern traffic lights on six busy junctions in the city kicked off early this month. The junctions are SOPETRAD, Gakinjiro along the city-Nyamirambo road, Peage and near the major roundabout and Gishushu in Kimihurura. Others are at YAMAHA at the city centre-Kinamba junction and Kimihurura, commonly known as Ku Kabindi. It is the first time traffic lights are being at YAMAHA and Kabindi junctions installed while at other junctions, older lights are being replaced. The modern traffic lights have more options which include indicating the time left for the traffic and pedestrians to take off or stop. They are automatic and have cameras which help to prioritise a route with heavier traffic flow. The installation of the modern traffic lights is being carried out by Chinese construction firm, China Road and Bridge Corporation. The exercise is part of the US$35m allocated towards the rehabilitation of 36km of roads in the city, which include City centre-Nyamirambo road, Kacyiru and Kimihurura roads. “Plans are underway to expand the Remera-Rwandex road and the traffic lights there will be installed when the road rehabilitation is complete,” Rangira said. The newly appointed traffic chief, CSP Celestin Twahirwa, said that traffic officers will continue to be deployed on junctions to oversee the flow of traffic. “They’ll be available to intervene, in case need arises like during power blackouts or accidents,” Twahirwa said. Ends

National

New city traffic lights to be operational from tomorrow