GWERU City Council has resumed its solar traffic lights project two years after it stalled when the local authority failed to pay close to $50 000 to a Chinese contractor, it has been established.

Last year, acting director of engineering services Praymore Mhlanga revealed that council owed $46 000 to the contractor, a situation that saw the contractor pulling out citing outstanding payment.

But yesterday work had been resumed at traffic intersections in the city with workers drilling and digging in preparation of solar traffic lights installation.

The chairperson of the commission running the affairs at Gweru council, Tsunga Mhangami, recently said the the project was aimed at improving motorists and pedestrians’ safety.

“Work is also in progress on the solar traffic lights to be installed in the city. We want to make sure that our roads are safe for both motorists and pedestrians,” he said.

The project launched in October 2013 has seen the city managing to install solar-powered traffic lights at only four out of the 16 intersections in the Midlands capital.

The project is expected to cost about $500 000