KUALA LUMPUR: The proposed upgrading of Jalan Yong Peng (FT24) in Johor was not approved under the first rolling plan of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) as priority was given to other projects in the state, says Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi (pic).
He said the Works Ministry had submitted an application to upgrade the stretch from the Yong Peng toll interchange to the Parit Yaani junction (J125) in Batu Pahat for consideration under Rolling Plan 1 of the 13MP, but the proposal did not receive approval from the central agencies.
“However, the ministry will re-examine the proposed project once a new application is submitted by the Johor government based on the state’s list of priorities in the next rolling plan, and will give due consideration for approval if it meets the technical and financial requirements,” he said in a parliamentary written reply dated Wednesday (Feb 4).
Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam) wanted to know the short- and long-term plans to address severe traffic congestion caused by a bottleneck at the Yong Peng North PLUS toll plaza, which has resulted in traffic spilling over to nearby junctions.
Nanta said daily traffic records for last year showed between 6,700 and 6,900 vehicles entering and exiting the Yong Peng North toll plaza, with no congestion reported at toll transactions except during festive seasons.
Nevertheless, he said, all toll lanes would be opened and operated at maximum capacity to improve transaction efficiency, particularly during peak hours and festive periods.
He added that mitigation measures have also been implemented by the Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) and PLUS Malaysia Bhd to ease traffic flow at the affected junctions.
“These include working with the Yong Peng District Council to recalibrate traffic light timing to reduce congestion, as well as enhanced strategic cooperation with the police to carry out manual traffic dispersal at critical peak hours,” he said.
Nanta said traffic spillovers reaching the Jalan Besar Yong Peng-Jalan Muar-Jalan Labis junction, as raised by Dr Wee, were linked to vehicle movements at traffic light junctions leading to and from the Yong Peng North toll plaza.