EN4 toll: Power cut creates traffic chaos in Maputo and Matola

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

EN4 toll: Power cut creates traffic chaos in Maputo and Matola

11:31 CAT | 16 Jan 2018

Folha de Maputo

A short circuit in one Maputo road toll lanes’ uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units was the reason for the traffic chaos yesterday afternoon on National Number Four Road (EN4).

According to Fenias Mazive, director of the Trans African Concessions (TRAC) Maintenance Centre in Maputo, it was not a fault in the internal electricity generators, nor in supply by Mozambique Electricity (EDM).

“When the power comes from outside, it goes through a UPS that feeds the toll lanes. There was a short circuit in one of the boards of this device that led to the interruption in the power supply, and technicians are working to normalise the situation,” Mazive explained.

This caused inconvenience both to motorists and to the Maputo-Witbank Road concessionaire for more than three hours, with significant back-up of traffic in the Maputo-Matola direction.

Payment had to be done manually, and the electronic reading of cards and electronic tags attached to vehicles preferred by frequent users was temporarily suspended.

To address the situation, vehicle data and cards details were recorded so that charges could be levied later, but manual service proved unsatisfactory for users in a hurry, and drivers tried various other routes to circumvent the congestion.

By evening, motorists travelling to Matola were being forced to form huge queues, going all the way to Avenida das Estancias for those leaving [to Matola] from downtown Maputo ‘Baixa’, and to the Assembly of the Republic building, for those taking the 24 de Julho Avenue route [Maputo-Matola].

Many tried to use Joaquim Chissano Avenue to escape the EN4 queues, which also generated problems on this road. On the Matola side, access to the capital was complicated, with queues as far as the Bananeiras and even Frigo.

Source: Folha de Maputo