Long delayed road upgrading project from Rawang to Batang Berjuntai completed

PETALING JAYA: The Jalan B27 road upgrading project from Rawang to Batang Berjuntai, which has taken 10 years to be completed, will benefit more than 100,000 motorists.

The project undertaken by Selangor State Economic Planning Unit (Upen) and state Public Works Department (JKR) was completed in tandem with the construction of a North-South Expressway (PLUS) bridge.

Fully completed in March, the project addresses bad peak hour congestion, said Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari at the projects’ launch and handover to JKR at Prima Velox in Bandar Country Homes, Rawang.

“The bridge’s construction also helps resolve frequent flooding in the area,” he said.

Both projects share a commonality which includes widening the existing single-lane road to a dual-lane, utility relocation and upgrading of Sungai Gong.

“The road congestion problem has been ongoing for more than two decades,” said Amirudin.

“The project was delayed from 2009 because of low procurement and contractor limitations.

“As a result, we reissued the tender with construction work beginning in 2020 while bridge construction started in 2018.

“The Covid-19 pandemic also delayed the project.”

The projects cost RM35.68mil (Jalan B27 upgrading works) and RM42.37mil (bridge), he said.

Amirudin added that Rawang would experience rapid development following the completion of a federal road project, which is up to the PLUS toll interchange.

This road project is expected to be completed by 2027.

“The project commenced last year with a budget of RM445mil.

“The connectivity will greatly improve once the project is completed.

“It will reduce congestion and pollution in the area,” he said.

Also present at the launch of the projects were JKR director Lokman Nasir, Selangor deputy secretary (development) Datuk Johary Anuar, Selayang Municipal Council president Datuk Mohd Yazid Sairi, Gombak District Officer Nor Azlina Abdul Aziz, Selayang MP William Leong and Rawang assemblyman Chua Wei Kiat.