Residents doubt RM110m traffic management system would work
KUALA LUMPUR: Brickfields residents are preparing for the worst as the temporary one-way traffic system for Jalan Tun Sambanthan and Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad is scheduled to start tomorrow.
It will be in effect until Oct 29 to facilitate the RM110 million traffic dispersal system for Brickfields and KL Sentral.
Most residents were unhappy with the temporary conversion of roads into one-way streets, including Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Jalan Tun Sambathan 4 and Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad.
Brickfields Rukun Tentangga chairman S.K.K. Naidu said the move would cause parts of Brickfields to experience bottlenecks.
"In front of Pos Laju Malaysia, for example, I am sure there will be massive traffic jams there. Looking at how traffic from Central Market will be diverted, based on the plan, I am also sure it is not going to be pretty."
Naidu said the alternative routes from Central Market and Jalan Istana to Brickfields would be congested as traffic will be diverted to smaller roads, such as Jalan Tun Sambathan 3, before turning into Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad and exiting at the intersection into Jalan Tun Sambathan.
"Brickfields folks and commuters may also have problems going to Bangsar and MidValley Megamall as the bus stop in front of KL Sentral station (KL Monorail), which heads towards these destinations, has not been relocated. Previously, the authorities and the developer had said that the one-way system would be on a trial basis.
"We have forwarded suggestions and advice, but they were not taken into consideration. They came up with the plan without consulting us.
"We are unhappy with the traffic dispersal system from day one and have made that very clear. When we raised our concerns during a previous meeting, Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin had said he would look into the matter. But this is the outcome."
Rama Rao, who runs a printing business in Brickfields, felt the one-way traffic system was a bad idea. "It promises a smoother traffic but we do not know how good it is.
"Motorists coming from certain directions will enjoy a smooth drive, but residents and business owners will be facing a tough time."
He was, however, happy with how the new Jalan Bangsar-Jalan Travers flyover, which was part of the project, had eased traffic congestion.
Another resident, a college student who only wanted to be known as Tavvin, said Brickfields would look cleaner and more organised with the project, especially when roadside stalls were now relocated to make way for road works.
"I am not sure how the one-way traffic system will affect us until it takes place as we have to make a detour just to go to Bangsar and MidValley."
The project is carried out by Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB) to ease traffic congestion in Brickfields, and involves construction of flyovers, pedestrian bridges and road upgrading works under six packages.
Package 1 sees the construction of a flyover at Jalan Travers/Jalan Bangsar intersection; Package 2, a flyover from KL Sentral to Jalan Damansara and the Mahameru Highway; Package 3 involves upgrading Jalan Tun Sambanthan and its vicinity; Package 4 is the construction of pedestrian bridges a n d linkages; Package 5 revolves around upgrading and road repairs at KL Sentral; and Package 6, the building of an elevated road from Jalan Bangsar to Jalan Maarof.
By NURUL HUDA JAMALUDDIN from Malay Mail
Monday, August 2nd, 2010 11:17:00
Image from BackpackingMalaysia
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