Open Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway to motorists soonest, urges MP

KUALA LUMPUR: The Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway (SPE) (Previously DUKE Phase-3) should be made accessible to the public since its construction was completed earlier in May.

Teresa Kok said it was also crucial following road closures around Loke Yew Roundabout and Jalan Sungai Besi for another project starting tomorrow.

"I had a meeting with Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Kamarulzaman Mat Salleh who said the SPE is only expected to open mid-November," said the Seputeh MP today.

She also questioned why the SPE had yet to open despite its completion five months ago.

"The road closures along Jalan Sungai Besi and Jalan Loke Yew area will cause massive traffic jams in Kuala Lumpur," said Kok during a press conference at the roadside next to Anjung Kelana, Taman Danau Desa, here.

According to the Duke highway website, SPE is a 29.8km dual-two carriageway that traverses north to south Kuala Lumpur.

It serves areas such as Wangsa Maju, Setiawangsa, Ampang, the Tun Razak Exchange and Bandar Malaysia development corridor.

On Aug 7, Kok and her officers made a site visit at SPE with Ekovest Bhd's managing director Tan Sri Lim Keng Cheng.

On Aug 15, she wrote to Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi to expedite the opening of SPE.

According to traffic consultant Perunding Trafik Klasik Sdn. Bhd., the SPE is expected to reduce traffic in various locations by 10% to 27%.

The Setiawangsa area will benefit the most from the expressway with a 27% reduction in traffic.

Kok also said she would write to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who chairs the Cabinet committee on traffic congestion.

Taman Desa Residents Association president Wong Chan Choy said he hoped SPE would open as soon as possible.

"Currently, the Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Highway, where one of the entrances of SPE is located, is very congested during peak hours.

"Let us use the SPE as it enables faster access to various locations in Kuala Lumpur," he said.