New traffic lights at Jalan Gasing crossing

Motorists exiting the Section 10 neighbourhood from Jalan 10/1 into Jalan Gasing are finding it difficult to turn left or right as there are too many drivers on the main road during peak hours. — SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star

TRAFFIC lights will be installed at the busiest crossing in Jalan Gasing, just after the Glad Tidings Church, to ease traffic exiting the Section 10 neighbourhood from Jalan 10/1 in Petaling Jaya.

Residents are finding it difficult to exit Jalan 10/1 during peak hours with the volume of traffic along Jalan Gasing.

Concerned over the near misses at the Jalan 10/1 exit, Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) plans to improve the traffic system there by installing traffic lights.

Mayor Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain said the traffic lights would allow trouble-free access into Jalan Gasing for those turning left and those crossing over to the other side from Jalan 10/1.

“Senior citizens in the Section 10 neighbourhood have spoken to me on this matter and even parents of students at Catholic High School have requested for traffic lights. I think it is time to instal traffic lights.

“It is good that people are giving me constructive feedback. At times, I don’t need letters, just a short conversation and I understand the needs of the people. A resident who lives further down Jalan Gasing, closer to SM La Salle, told me his concerns were over tailbacks if the traffic lights are installed,” he added.

Mohd Azizi said Jalan Gasing, the first dual carriageway built in Malaysia in 1960, was too congested now.

Motorists use Jalan Gasing to gain access to the northwest end which leads to the Federal Highway and Jalan Universiti while the other end leads to Jalan Changgai, Jalan Templer and feeds into Jalan Klang Lama.

“Our aim is to improve traffic flow in an effective and efficient manner where rumble strips and pulsating signals will be used for traffic calming. We are in the proposal stage,” he said.

Last month, Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Zani Che Din had recommended traffic lights as a permanent measure for Jalan Gasing to overcome the difficulties of crossing from Jalan 10/1.

On another issue, Mohd Azizi said MBPJ was considering to put up a high fence with a few meters’ setback behind the terrace houses parallel to Jalan 10/8, Jalan 10/6A, Jalan 10/6 and Jalan 10/4 in Section 10, to address safety concerns.

MBPJ is also extending the free carpark, that is now located off Jalan 10/1, under Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s power pylons to link it to Jalan 10/7. With the new link, more cars will have free parking bays.

Residents living in Section 10 had urged MBPJ to erect a fence behind the terrace houses, instal close circuit television cameras and plant a row of trees as a shield against emissions of carbon monoxide.