The concessionaire of the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) claims that the expressway’s Subang Jaya-Kuala Lumpur stretch, scheduled to be opened at the end of this month, will enable motorists from Subang Jaya to reach Bangsar in 13 minutes.
This was the time clocked when representatives of NPE Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Road Builder, took the Star Metro team on a ride on the 99% completed stretch recently.
However, the journey may take slightly longer as between 20,000 and 30,000 vehicles from Subang Jaya are expected to use the expressway once it opens.
Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu had announced on Jan 18 that the Subang Jaya-KL stretch of the NPE would be opened by the end of this month to alleviate major traffic congestion in the Klang Valley following the closure of the Bukit Lanjan stretch of the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) due to a rockfall in December.
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The NPE on the existing Jalan Kelang Lama. |
Since the closure, the traffic situation in the Klang Valley especially in areas like USJ, Subang Jaya, Bandar Sunway and Jalan Kelang Lama has been deplorable.
Motorists have had to endure bumper-to-bumper traffic during peak hours every day and the situation has worsened ever since school re-opened.
Thus many motorists, especially residents of Subang Jaya, were relieved when Samy Vellu made the announcement.
Motorists who were interviewed found the current traffic situation unacceptable and were looking forward to the opening of the alternative route.
“It’s about time,” said L.Y. Tham who lives in USJ. “After having to endure daily bumper-to- bumper traffic at the Jalan Tujuan and Jengka roundabout for years, I’m looking forward to this alternative route,” she said.
“I live in Subang Jaya and use the Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) everyday to get to the city. “It is the most dreaded and stressful time of the day for me as the roads are jammed and I waste two hours every day just going and returning from work,” said the irate motorist.
New Pantai Expressway Sdn Bhd general manager Neoh Soon Hiong expressed confidence that the opening of NPE’s Subang Jaya-KL route would ease congestion.
“We are currently working round-the-clock to complete the SJ-KL route by the end of this month. It is now 99% complete,” he said, adding that the overall expressway project was 95% complete and expected to be ready by mid- April.
Once the SJ-KL route is ready, motorists from Subang Jaya and USJ can use the expressway to go to Bangsar and Kuala Lumpur.
USJ and Subang Jaya residents can get to the NPE via Jalan Tujuan and Jalan Jengka roundabout heading to Bandar Sunway and Kampung Medan where motorists will be separated from local traffic by an elevated highway over Jalan Kelang Lama which will provide unhindered traffic flow.
There is an eight-lane toll plaza at PJS 5 (Kg Penchala). The NPE continues into Kampung Pasir and Pantai Dalam, passing a second toll plaza at the Pantai Dalam Interchange heading to Bangsar.
While toll charges have not been determined, what is imminent is that USJ/Subang Jaya residents will have to pay toll twice – once at the PJS 5 toll plaza and the second one at the Pantai Dalam Interchange.
The NPE is a boon to motorists and is available for those who need to move faster.
For people like Tham and others like her who face daily congestion on the Federal Highway, this is a good enough reason to use the new expressway.
As for those who do not wish to pay toll, the alternative routes will still be available.
The 19.6km NPE starts at the Jalan Tujuan/Jalan Subang Utama intersection and traverses Subang Jaya, Bandar Sunway, Kampung Medan and Jalan Kelang Lama.
It branches out into two separate links, one continues from Pantai Dalam to Jalan Bangsar, while the other links Pantai Dalam to the KL-Seremban Highway at Jalan Kuchai Lama. The NPE will also link up with the Sungai Besi Highway.
With eight interchanges in Jalan Kewajipan, Jalan PJS 8/1, Taman Maju Jaya, Jalan Templer, Pantai Dalam, Seri Pantai, Pantai Baru and Taman Desa, there is connectivity for most of the key areas in the Klang Valley as well as major highways such as the Shah Alam Expressway, LDP, Federal Highway, KL-Seremban Highway and Sungai Besi.
The new RM1bil expressway incorporates 19 bridges and 10 pedestrian bridges as well as modern facilities such as variable message signs, closed-circuit television cameras, traffic control room, electronic toll collection, lay-bys, bus shelter and 24-hour traffic surveillance.
Source: http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2004/2/7216025.html
