DRIVERS and commuters have welcomed a reprieve from traffic congestion on the stretch of highway between the Lunga Bridge and the Honiara International Airport following the closure of the zebra crossing at AJ City Mall last weekend.
The lack of traffic lights and proper signage at the crossing made it confusing for pedestrians, causing traffic congestion.
The zebra crossing, constructed before the 2023 Pacific Games, proved to be a notorious bottleneck, causing significant delays and frustration amongst drivers and commuters alike.
Many vehicle owners described the crossing as unnecessary, voicing their concerns about the traffic chaos it generated.
Since its closure, there has been a noticeable increase in the flow of traffic.
Buses, taxis and private vehicles are now traveling at greater ease, leading to expressions of relief and excitement amongst drivers and commuters who had long struggled with lengthy delays.
“It’s about time,” a driver of a public bus servicing the Lunga-Central Market route,” Mr Ozzily said.
“The zebra crossing affected the public, including working people, students and also public transport services. It also affected our earnings because we couldn’t make our runs on time,” he added.
A young mother also expressed relief over the development.
“The traffic congestion caused by the zebra crossing really affected my punctuality to work. I had to take my kids to school first before going to work and the traffic congestions made things worse for me,” she said.
The mother said responsible authorities need to educate the public on road safety and pedestrian crossing usage to avoid traffic congestions.
Many, however, argued that the zebra crossing was intended to enhance safety and that it was the lack of traffic lights and proper signage that made it confusing for pedestrians.
By JIMMY NOLAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
