Work on 8th Circle traffic light to end by early May

AMMAN — Work to install traffic lights at the 8th Circle is expected to wrap up by the beginning of next month, a Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) official said on Wednesday. 

Yaser Atiyat, GAM’s deputy city director of public works, said the project was launched following a study that examined the volume of traffic in the area. 

“One of the options we came up with was traffic lights. We know that it is not a magical solution, but it can help solve the problem by 40 per cent,” he told The Jordan Times over the phone.

The GAM official said the project will help save time and money for motorists. 

“Around 5,000 cars enter this area per hour, which usually leads to hours-long traffic jams,” Atiyat added. 

The municipality official said GAM will also expand the street.

In interviews with The Jordan Times, a number of Bayader residents living near the 8^th Circle voiced hope that the project will have positive outcomes similar to the 7th Circle. 

Bilal Eid, an accountant, said after the positive difference he noticed following the installation of traffic lights at the 7th Circle, he hopes that the same impact will be felt in his area.   

“Many motorists do not drive in an organised manner at the circles and they do not abide by traffic rules as well. Traffic lights are the solution though many countries try hard to avoid using them,” he added.

Ghada Qaisi cited the rising number of residents in the area as one of the main reasons behind the traffic jams at the 8^th Circle.

“It is really a big issue for us because road congestion continues all day long. In the past, traffic jams were a problem only in the morning,” she added. 

Qaisi said the number of cars is significantly increasing due to readily available auto loans at banks.

“Each family has around three cars. This is also another problem.” 

Although Qaisi wants the problem solved with the implementation of the project, she says she feels “a bit sad” about losing the 8th Circle.

“It became a landmark for us. Many of the area’s residents like to gather at the circle and have a cup of coffee,” she noted.      

Ahmad Abu Diyyah said he fully supports the traffic light project, but opposes its timing.

“They could have waited until they finish the Sinaa intersection because work on the two projects has resulted in major traffic jams in the area,” he added. 

Atiyat said GAM is studying the feasibility of installing traffic lights at the 5th Circle. 

“It is not necessary to install traffic lights at every circle. It is part of a number of solutions and what we are seeking is to help organise traffic flow in the capital,” he noted.