PETALING JAYA: Phase 2 of the one-way loop in Petaling Jaya will see the work divided into four sub-phases lasting 18 months, said Bukit Gasing assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran in a press briefing on the traffic system’s progress.
In its “Proposed Construction Work Programme,” the first sub-phase (termed “quarter”) will see the western half of Jalan Utara, Jalan Timur and part of Jalan Sultan being developed from March till mid-July.
The second quarter, starting from July till November this year, comprises Jalan Barat, certain sections of Persiaran Barat, the eastern half of Jalan Utara and the remainder of Jalan Sultan.
Other roads, such as Jalan Yong Shook Lin and the remainder of Persiaran Barat will be developed in the third quarter, which will start from December and end in mid-April next year.
The final sub-phase, such as final landscaping touches and road furniture such as bus stops and safety railings, is targetted for completion by Aug 31, 2016.
However, both Rajiv and Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor Ang Ming Ern said a formal request had been put in to shorten the 18-month construction period spelled out in the original tender awarded, to minimise inconvenience.
“Based on the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety’s (Miros) recommendations, the council appointed Pakatan Jurutera Pintar Sdn Bhd as the road safety consultants,” said Rajiv.
Ang said the contractor and MBPJ would finalise details such as the access and exit points for stakeholders along the road, including Amcorp Mall where the exit point leads out onto Jalan Timur despite cars weaving in to enter Persiaran Barat ahead.
“The traffic flow is confirmed, we are adding further details such as gradients and other features to ensure road safety,” he added.
The planned survey on the traffic system’s business impact by opinion research firm Merdeka Centre will be conducted at a later date, despite an earlier statement that the survey and a stakeholder dialogue would be held before Chinese New Year.
When contacted, MBPJ councillor Lee Suet Sen said the firm had submitted its research proposal and costing on March 12.
Some residents, however, are unhappy that the one-way loop will enter its permanent phase despite the earlier three-month trial period.
“It was supposed to be a trial period. Where are the studies or numbers done to justify the continuation of the project?” asked Section 12 resident David Foo.
Furthermore, he said Jalan Utara ran past residential areas and its conversion into a six-lane single carriageway with free-flow traffic as part of the one-way loop, was basically turning Jalan Utara into an intra-city highway next to a housing area.
Foo also questioned whether the appointment of the aforementioned road safety design consultants would add more costs to the traffic system project.
Since the one-way loop’s experimental phase in October last year, there has been at least one fatality where a pedestrian was killed by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Jalan Utara.
