K`dua to have first solar traffic light system

THE FIRST ever solar energy traffic light system in the country is to be installed at Old Estate Junction on the Nana Asafo Adjei road in the New Juaben Municipal Area (NJMA). The new system is to help the country move from hydroelectric energy sourcing to alternative solar energy for the traffic tights in the country.

This was disclosed to The Chronicle by the New Juaben Urban Roads Engineer, Alhaji Abass Awulo, in an exclusive interview at Koforidua recently.

He explained that the new system was chosen because, often when hydro-electric power goes off it makes the junctions unsafe for movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

Accordingly, New Juabeng was chosen for the first installation of the system, which is under a pilot project because traffic volumes were not as high as in other cities. It also offers the department the opportunity to monitor and evaluate the new solar system for replication in other cities in the country.

The Chronicle learnt that the new solar traffic light system, unlike the old one, would have solar panels that light up to control movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

This paper learnt that the Department of Urban Roads (DUR) has already tried a solar pelican traffic light on the Kanda Highway in Accra but that was purely to facilitate pedestrian movement. However the Koforidua one will be the first at a signalized intersection.

About the road networks in the Municipality, Alhaji Awulo hinted that the old Kassardjan Road has been awarded on contract, noting that the nine kilometers stretch of road would start from Adweso and end at the Oyoko roundabout and will cost ¢ 13.6 billion.

All these works, he disclosed, would commence next month and that the China Water Company would be undertaking the road works while Messrs. A. Naggestan Limited would be undertaking the bridge works.

According to the Urban Roads Engineer, the benefits of the road when completed are that it would reduce travel distance between Adweso and Oyoko by seven kilometres from the current 16 kilometres.

Alhaji Awulo allayed any fears that the construction of the new road would affect business activities in the centre of Koforidua. He said it would rather help open up that portion of the Municipality to development. Other roads that the department has programmed for the year include Asokore road, Korley Nkwanta road, Nyamekrom road, Onyinka hotel, Asokore UNT road, Graphic Corporation road and GPRTU. THE FIRST ever solar energy traffic light system in the country is to be installed at Old Estate Junction on the Nana Asafo Adjei road in the New Juaben Municipal Area (NJMA).

The new system is to help the country move from hydroelectric energy sourcing to alternative solar energy for the traffic tights in the country.

This was disclosed to The Chronicle by the New Juaben Urban Roads Engineer, Alhaji Abass Awulo, in an exclusive interview at Koforidua recently.

He explained that the new system was chosen because, often when hydro-electric power goes off it makes the junctions unsafe for movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

Accordingly, New Juabeng was chosen for the first installation of the system, which is under a pilot project because traffic volumes were not as high as in other cities. It also offers the department the opportunity to monitor and evaluate the new solar system for replication in other cities in the country.

The Chronicle learnt that the new solar traffic light system, unlike the old one, would have solar panels that light up to control movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

This paper learnt that the Department of Urban Roads (DUR) has already tried a solar pelican traffic light on the Kanda Highway in Accra but that was purely to facilitate pedestrian movement. However the Koforidua one will be the first at a signalized intersection.

About the road networks in the Municipality, Alhaji Awulo hinted that the old Kassardjan Road has been awarded on contract, noting that the nine kilometers stretch of road would start from Adweso and end at the Oyoko roundabout and will cost ¢ 13.6 billion.

All these works, he disclosed, would commence next month and that the China Water Company would be undertaking the road works while Messrs. A. Naggestan Limited would be undertaking the bridge works.

According to the Urban Roads Engineer, the benefits of the road when completed are that it would reduce travel distance between Adweso and Oyoko by seven kilometres from the current 16 kilometres.

Alhaji Awulo allayed any fears that the construction of the new road would affect business activities in the centre of Koforidua. He said it would rather help open up that portion of the Municipality to development. Other roads that the department has programmed for the year include Asokore road, Korley Nkwanta road, Nyamekrom road, Onyinka hotel, Asokore UNT road, Graphic Corporation road and GPRTU.