Gaborone's most frustrating and confusing intersections

| Monday December 6, 2010 00:00

 

Staff Writer BAME PIET looks at some of the main nightmare spots.

Maruapula intersection near Falcon crest hotel The intersection was recently upgraded into four-lanes for traffic going northwards to BBS Mall and No Mathata Shopping Centre. The intersection still confuses motorists and the situation got worse when someone came and erected kerb stones reducing the radius of curve into the road to BBS from No Mathata side.

The planners failed to realise that erecting traffic lights controlling left turning vehicles is adversely affecting movement of cars especially from No Mathata. This has resulted in traffic congestion stretching to the filing station especially during rush hours. Solution? Switch off the left turn traffic control lights and motorists will use their judgement to join the main road.

Middle Star four-way intersectionThis is another mess of a junction that was recently completed. It causes confusion and danger for motorists coming from the southern direction turning right. The lane for traffic turning right is placed in a very dangerous spot and more accidents are going to occur here. The road was transformed into three lanes for vehicles going northwards into Partial Location. Why?

Traffic lights opposite Middle StarJust 100 metres west of the above mentioned intersection lies another four way junction with traffic lights. The most confusing aspect about the intersection is that the lights allow traffic going both directions (east-west) to move at the same time.  Traffic turning right from the eastern side is forced to stop posing danger to other motorists because there is no lane for right turning vehicles. Danger!

Traffic lights behind Poso House

These are confusing because at some point, they unnecessarily block traffic going to the Main Mall when others are going towards the bus rank. This default cause unnecessary delays and congestion for the traffic going towards the Main Mall.

Seabelo House intersectionThis is a serious inconvenience for traffic going north from Commerce Park. The lights open for half a second allowing only two vehicles to pass and this causes unnecessary delays. Traffic along that side of town only moves when the lights are not functioning.

Block Six intersection - near LimkokwingThis is another problem area. The lights take a long time to open for traffic along the main road that leads to the Btv circle.  Pedestrian crossings If ever there is a city that does not recognise the existence of pedestrians it is Gaborone. At the Main Mall, there are only two pedestrian traffic lights - near the President Hotel and on the opposite side along Queens Road.  Another one was erected five years ago just opposite Bank Gaborone and National Development Bank building but to-date it has not been switched on.

There is no pedestrian crossing at Princess Marina Hospital on the southern gate, thus posing a danger to people visiting the facility.