Corowa local Karen Nelson at the Wahgunyah entrance to the John Foord Bridge where drivers have reported malfunctioning traffic control lights.
Photo by
Ian Johnson
Last month, Chris Rankine was confronted by the shocking sight of a bus attempting to cross the John Foord Bridge before he had completed his own crossing, and it took a minute for both parties to figure out what had gone wrong.
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An alleged traffic light malfunction on Monday, August 17, at approximately 11am, caused drivers from both sides to attempt crossing the bridge simultaneously.
Chris was first across the bridge when the encounter happened and he said both drivers were confused and angered by what had happened.
“I was crossing from Corowa and hadn’t quite come off the bridge when the bus came around the corner in the opposite direction,” Chris said.
“I had a green light from my end, so I started waving him back, but he was doing the same to me.
“We both got out to discuss the issue and realized the traffic lights on both sides had turned green at the same time.”
The men resolved their dispute amicably and were able to clear the bridge to allow the flow of traffic to continue, with Chris proceeding to warn other drivers of the malfunction.
Chris contacted Transport for NSW to report the incident as per instructions on the traffic lights and spoke to “Matt”, who told Chris the traffic lights were controlled by a computer out of North Canberra, and he would “get a team out to fix it”.
He was also advised to contact local police to report the incident; phone calls to Corowa, Rutherglen and Wodonga police eventually directed him to VicRoads who redirected him back to Transport for NSW.
“The second time I called Transport for NSW I got a fellow named Lindsay,” Chris said.
“I told him what had happened and he just said it was impossible.
“Until someone has actually had an accident and is killed on that bridge, no one will do anything.”
Traffic control lights on the John Foord Bridge at Corowa and Wahgunyah regulate the flow of traffic on the single-lane bridge but drivers report they are faulty.
Photo by
Ian Johnson
Another Wahgunyah resident who preferred to remain anonymous confirmed the incident and informed the Free Press that it was the second occurrence that day.
“It happened earlier in the morning while I was trying to cross,” he said.
“I didn’t quite get onto the bridge when someone else was coming off from the other direction.
“It’s happened before, a long time ago; it happens from time to time.”
Rutherglen Police Sgt Mick Savage said he understands malfunctions with the lights do happen from time to time but also noted that drivers in the past have tried to use that as an excuse to cross the bridge under red lights.
He said it was the driver’s responsibility to ensure they don’t enter the bridge on anything other than a green light.
“We see people crossing the bridge on a red light and they swear it was green on the other side,” Sgt Savage said.
“They tell me it must be a malfunction, but the lights are on a timer and there are little lights on the back that indicate what the opposite lights are flashing, so we know.
“When we point this out, we don’t get anyone contesting their fines.”
He advised any drivers that do encounter a genuine malfunction to contact Transport for NSW and report the incident as they are the body that monitor and manage the bridge traffic signals.
A spokesperson for Transport for NSW said crews had inspected the signals and regularly conduct functional checks.
“Transport for NSW takes the safety of all road users seriously and have investigated the concerns raised regarding the operation of the traffic signals controlling the John Foord Bridge,” they said.
“We have found no issues and have observed the signals to be operating as intended.
“Motorists are advised to adhere to the traffic signals as drivers who proceed onto the bridge when the lights are red are putting themselves and other drivers at risk.”
Transport for NSW said the traffic signal system was designed with multiple fail-safe protections to prevent conflicting green signals.
If a fault is detected that could affect the safe operation of the signals, the controller is designed to enter a fail-safe flashing yellow mode.
“When operating in flashing yellow mode, the signals no longer control right-of-way,” they said.
“Drivers must proceed with caution and comply with the applicable road rules.
“At a single-lane bridge, this means motorists must give way to vehicles already on the bridge and only enter when it is safe to do so.”
Traffic signals were installed on the bridge in 1997 to help safely manage traffic across the one-way bridge, permitting traffic to travel in only one direction at a time.
An all-red period is provided to ensure the bridge is clear before traffic from the opposite direction is given a green signal.
