VROMI Minister Chris Wever (right) preparing to activate the traffic lights.
PHILIPSBURG–The traffic lights at the junction of Walter Nisbeth Road (Pondfill), Long Wall Road, A.Th. Illidge Road and Bush Road were activated on Sunday for the first time in more than two years. These traffic lights were destroyed by Hurricane Irma in September 2017.
The new lights were installed the previous weekend and then given a series of tests to ensure they were functioning correctly.
Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Minister Chris Wever officially turned on the lights on Sunday afternoon. He said the lights would first blink orange for about a week to create awareness for motorists that the lights are operating again.
According to Wever, this approach is necessary, as he believes reprogramming the minds of motorists to “expect and respect the traffic lights” will be a gradual process.
“We turned on the traffic lights, which have not been functioning since the passing of Hurricane Irma. I want to thank Henry and his team from Hemco for their hard work. [And thanks to – Ed.] Mr. Nicolaas and his students for their contribution,” said Wever in a press release on Sunday.
He said turning on the traffic lights proves that “when people work together, we can accomplish great things.”
Wever said the traffic lights will go into regular use next week and urges motorists to pay strict attention to them and abide by the rules governing their operation.
“It is against the law to ignore the traffic lights, and I am encouraging everyone to pay attention to the lights and be guided by them at the [junction] to ensure all of our safety,” said Wever. “By respecting the traffic rules, the life you save might be your own.”
VROMI Minister Chris Wever (fifth right) after turning the switch to activate the traffic lights on Sunday afternoon. Also in photo are some of the people who were instrumental in installing the new lights.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/92546-traffic-lights-now-activated
How many Ministers of VROMI does it take to change a traffic light?
Do great things? give us a break, pick up the garbage!