The Minister of Public Works and Transportation (MOPT), Romeo Rodríguez, announced that the civil works for the intelligent traffic light project in the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador are 80% complete.
The civil works involve the installation of ducts, cabinets, poles, and other infrastructure necessary for the project. This includes the placement of poles to support the traffic lights, the construction of cabinets housing the electrical components, and the excavation of trenches for the installation of wiring and fiber optic cables.
“We have made significant progress in the civil works of the intelligent traffic light project, reaching 80% completion in the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador. This involves the installation of ducts, cabinets, poles, and more,” highlighted Minister Rodríguez.
According to the official, the civil works also encompass the installation of ductwork, the placement of poles to support the traffic lights, the construction of cabinets containing the electrical components, and the excavation of trenches for the wiring and fiber optic cables.
“We have already begun installing the traffic lights in various locations, and some of them are already operational. For instance, three intersections along Alameda Juan Pablo II have functioning traffic lights, as well as six intersections along Los Héroes Boulevard,” added Minister Rodríguez.
The main objective of the intelligent traffic lights, as stated by the minister, is to improve traffic flow rather than solely issuing fines. While the MOPT has installed cameras for traffic violation monitoring, this is just one aspect of the project.
The intelligent traffic lights along Los Héroes Boulevard, for instance, are equipped with video detectors that monitor the number of vehicles in each lane. These detectors gather real-time data at each intersection, allowing for adjustments based on traffic demand.
“By implementing a corridor, we can reduce traffic congestion by 15%. We expect the traffic lights to be fully operational by the weekend, following calibration tests and necessary adjustments,” stated Rodríguez.
The intelligent traffic light project is also being implemented in San Miguel and Santa Ana. Minister Rodríguez explained, “We have already started the civil works in the eastern part of the country. Excavations have begun in San Miguel to lay the foundation for the cabinets containing the electrical components that ensure the proper functioning of these traffic lights.”
He further emphasized that simultaneous civil works have commenced in the Santa Ana area.
“While we currently have around 2,300 traffic lights, we will be installing a total of 2,871 traffic lights in various locations across the country. This means that new intersections will be equipped with traffic lights to accommodate the changing dynamics of the city and vehicular movement,” explained the minister.
Minister Rodríguez concluded by saying, “Many intersections require alternative traffic management solutions due to the changing city landscape and increased traffic. We aim to address these challenges with our intelligent traffic light project.”
The completion of the civil works represents a significant step toward the implementation of intelligent traffic lights in the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador and beyond. This infrastructure project promises to enhance traffic efficiency and promote safer road conditions, ultimately benefiting the citizens and commuters of El Salvador.
