Joint effort to ease jams

Joint effort to ease jams

The traffic snarls on Penang island will worsen in the next few days.

Penang municipal councillor Mohd Taufik Sulong said an additional 30,000 vehicles are expected to throng the island during the Chinese New Year.

“The council is working with the police to reduce traffic congestions along major roads from Thursday till Sunday,” he told reporters here yesterday.

“There will be more police patrols and surveillance in traffic hot spots such as Air Itam area, Gurney Drive, Queensbay Mall, Jalan Masjid Negeri, Burma Road, Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway and the roads within the vicinity of Komtar,” he said.

He said there would be road diversions in several areas such as Jalan Kampung Pisang and Jalan Kampung Melayu which leads to the Kek Lok Si Temple.

“In places where the route is diverted, only Rapid Penang buses will be allowed to go through.

“This is to encourage the public to use public transportation,” he said.

He added that certain U-turnings and right turnings which can cause traffic congestions such as in Gurney Drive and Jalan Kelawei would be blocked.

“Traffic lights will also be adjust-ed to ease traffic flow on main roads such as Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, in Air Itam and Tanjung Tokong.

“During the period, buses will be prohibited from waiting for passengers at certain locations, including in Air Itam, Gurney Drive and areas around Komtar.

“We have also arranged with Telekom Malaysia and Tenaga Nasional Berhad to temporary halt any road diggings since Thaipusam until February 10,” he said.

For enquiries, the public can contact the council’s 24-hour hotline at 04-2637637 or the state police operations room at 04-2181822.

A check showed massive traffic congestions around Komtar area and the malls as people rush to do their last-minute festive shopping.

A motorist who wished to be known only as Karen said she was stuck in a traffic jam for about an hour near Komtar.

“I saw many cars with Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan number plates as many Penangites are returning home to celebrate CNY with their families.

“The traffic congestion is becoming unbearable,” she said.

-News courtesy of The Star-