Nedbank, others team up with city to keep Sandton’s traffic flowing

More of Sandton central’s major intersections will be immune from the impact of load shedding as some of the JSE’s heavy hitters like Nedbank, Sasol, and Growthpoint sign up to be part of the City of Johannesburg’s Traffic Signal Backup Power Initiative.

The project aims to keep the city’s traffic lights functional during load shedding by utilising a secondary power connection to the nearest adjacent property. The property’s backup power solution will then keep the robots on during power outages.

The traffic light initiative, being rolled out with the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and Sandton Central Management District (SCMD), will be expanded to three more intersections in the city’s business centre. The initiative was first implemented with Investec in May, with the lender adopting two intersections.

Read: Investec, JRA partner to ease Sandton traffic during load shedding

In a statement on Thursday SCMD’s improvement manager Elaine Jack praised the corporations for participating in the city’s plans to limit disruptions to the country’s business and financial district.

“The rapid momentum that the Traffic Signal Backup Power Initiative has gained has been truly inspiring as leading businesses within Sandton continue to join forces to tackle the common challenge of load shedding and its effects on the district,” Jack said.

“The city is benefitting economically as improved traffic signal reliability decreases congestion, increases productivity and also improves safety from fewer accidents at previously dead intersections due to load shedding, said the JRA’s acting CEO, Zweli Nyathi,

Nedbank, one of South Africa’s big four banks, has agreed to adopt the intersection at Rivonia Road and Fredman Drive. At the same time, real estate investment trust (Reit) giant Growthpoint has committed to backing up the intersection at Grayston Drive and Fifth Street.

While chemicals and energy company Sasol will take on the Katherine Street and Pybus Road intersection, with the group reportedly having additional plans to adopt the Albertyn and Wierda Road East intersection.

Read: 115 CEOs sign on to campaign to reverse SA’s current trajectory

Public-private partnerships

The initiative is the latest between private players and government in an effort to protect the local economy from load shedding.

“Partnerships between the corporates and public enterprises ensure we keep the wheels of industry moving forward, contributing towards sustainable economic growth for all,” senior vice president of Sasol Business Services, Grace Nndwammbi, said.

Nedbank’s head of corporate real estate Howard Rauff added: “Nedbank is committed to engaging, exchanging ideas and strategies, and partnering on initiatives aimed at lessening the impact of the ongoing energy crisis on our economy, businesses, and society at large.

“We are pleased that this partnership with Sandton Central and the Johannesburg Roads Agency will ensure optimal efficiency and functionality in a financial and business district that contributes significantly to our country’s economy,” Rauff said.

Listen to Jimmy Moyaha’s chat with MTN’s Ernest Paul about their decision to partner with the JRA to keep traffic lights on:

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.