Transport Ministry to lead infrastructure upgrades to ease Klang Valley traffic congestion

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — The government has agreed to proceed with several upgrades to improve traffic in the Klang Valley.

Among others, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the government will see to the implementation of tidal flow on the Sungai Besi - Seremban Highway.

“Further studies will be carried out by the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) with the involvement of Home Ministry and the police force, as well as the highway authorities.

“The proposed location starts from the Astro Intersection for a distance of 200m before the Smart Tunnel.

“It is expected to start in November 2023,” he told reporters during a press conference at the Parliament building here today.

In addition, Loke said the government will carry out an online study to measure user satisfaction with the implementation of tidal flow in the Klang Valley. The study will be presented in the Cabinet in February 2023.

Another improvement that the ministry will be implementing is the realignment of traffic flow in Bukit Bintang, in the vicinity of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, which will be implemented for a trial period of one month starting this November 1.

“However, this matter requires joint monitoring involving the Home Ministry, police and DBKL.

“The Ministry of Finance has been requested to provide an allocation (estimated at RM2 million) to DBKL,” he said.

As for bus routes, these include improvements to and the expansion of existing special bus lanes along Jalan Ampang from October 16, as well as three proposed new bus lanes that were decided during a meeting today, which are located along Jalan Cheras – Loke Yew, Jalan Kuching and Jalan Genting Klang.

“The implementation is expected to start in November,” he said.

Loke said there is also a proposal to upgrade 356 bus poles to covered bus stops, which will be introduced in stages with the cooperation of the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Local Government Development and DBKL.

“There will be an allocation, through seven local councils, of RM100,000 for each bus stop.

“The government is also examining the need for the provision of a Park & Ride in the Kuala Lumpur to Selangor border area as one of the efforts to implement a stop-and-go bus corridor in Kuala Lumpur City Centre to limit the entry of private vehicles to the city centre,” he said.