New link road ready in three years

Zaidy manning the excavator while Rozita (blue headscarf) looks on at the ground-breaking ceremony.

SEPANG residents will save 10 minutes in travel time when the B20 route connecting Kota Warisan to Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi is completed in three years.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Selangor Public Works Department (JKR) deputy director Rozita Mat Senapi said the new route was expected to reduce traffic congestion on the Putrajaya-Cyberjaya Expressway (FT29) and Nilai-KLIA Highway (FT 32) by 30%.

It will also be an alternative route to Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi for those travelling on FT29.

The entire project, including the land acquisition exercise, will cost the state government RM80mil.

Work on the project started last November.

According to project contractor Norwest Holdings, the main work scope will include structural work for piling, bridge poles, upgrading of existing roads, rock breaking and drainage systems.

Project manager Lee Kwang Heng said the starting point of the four-lane dual carriageway was from the traffic lights at the fourth junction of Persiaran Warisan, and the route would span across the ERL track, requiring the construction of a new bridge.

There will be two bridges. The existing one to accommodate a two-way traffic flow. As the road will cross a stream, an arch will be built over it to preserve the natural waterway.

The tentative plan includes two roundabouts and a service road measuring 250m leading into a grocery distribution centre.

The route will end near the Sepang Courts Complex and Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi Stadium near Taman Ixora.

On latest updates on the land acquisition exercise, JKR said talks were ongoing with the orang asli at the Bakok settlement which was located in the route’s way.

Selangor Infrastructure and Public Facilities Committee chairman Zaidy Abdul Talib, who officiated at the ceremony, said he hoped that the contractor would adhere to the rules of best practices during the construction period.

He stressed on the need to prepare a traffic management plan to ensure smooth traffic flow of heavy vehicles.

Zaidy said 44.9% of the RM1.6bil budget for state development was allocated for building of infrastructure such as bridges, roads, drainage and irrigation.

Kota Warisan Residents’ Association chairman Irwan Mohd Subri said residents had no objections so far.

“This road will be convenient for us in the long run. Our only concern is that JKR should monitor ongoing work to prevent flash floods and potholes, which can pose a danger to motorcyclists,” said Irwan.