Smooth ride for road users

Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi (second from right) and other officers pointing to the 60kmph speed limit along the Jalan Tan Sri Teh Ewe Lim extension road yesterday (Oct 20). The extension road will be open to the public on Nov 1, from midnight onwards.

AFTER a more than four-year delay, the third and final phase of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway will finally be opened to the public on Nov 1.

Jelutong MP Jeff Ooi said construction work on the project, known as the Jalan Tan Sri Teh Ewe Lim Extension, was already 95% complete.

“The 800m road costing RM70mil is borne by the developer, IJM. It will be open to traffic from midnight onwards on Nov 1.

Initially, it was scheduled to be opened in August, but there were several factors which delayed it.

“Firstly, it was Indah Water Konsortium in relocating the sewage pipes. Then the Mutiara Idaman apartment residents insisted on having an entrance and exit next to the road, despite it being objected by the Public Works Department.

“We settled the issue with the residents by retaining the entrance and exit. The developer will also install safety measures such as guard rails,” he told reporters before a walkabout to inspect the progress along the road in George Town yesterday.

Ooi said the large amount of utility lines at the squatter area along the road’s intersection with Jalan Jelutong also caused the project to be delayed.

“Work could only be carried out at night to move the utility lines due to busy Jalan Jelutong.”

He said the state government would also announce a new name for the road.

The extension is expected to help alleviate traffic congestion in Jalan Perak and Jalan Jelutong.